Owner Virgil Barker remains in critical condition
An early afternoon explosion at a Fayette County business has left the owner of the business in critical condition at a Columbus area hospital.
69-year-old Virgil Barker - the owner of Barker's Towing, Recovery and Tire Service - sustained burns to his face and body while working at the rear of his business Saturday afternoon.
According to Sheriff Vernon Stanforth, Mr. Barker was using a torch to remove the top from a metal barrel when the explosion occurred. Barker sustained burns to his face and body and was transported from the scene by Med-Flight to a Columbus area hospital.
As a result of the explosion, part of the rear of the business caught fire and was extinguished by the Jefferson Township Fire Department.
At last report Barker remained hospitalized in critical condition.
