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A Sevier County man is has been transported to Vanderbilt Hospital after suffering third degree burns after an explosion in Wears Valley today.

According to Sevier County Sheriff Ron Seals, David Ownby, 28, Happy Hollow Road, Sevierville, was severely burned after throwing ethanol racing fuel onto a fire that resulted in an explosion. Ownby was burning plastic insulation off of copper wire in a fire pit when he threw the racing fuel onto the fire.

Ownby was transported to UT Hosptial by Lifestar and from there flown to Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville to treat second and third degree burns over 90 percent of his body.

The Sheriffs Office Fire Investigation Unit is investigating the case.