Union Springs, NY--A Union Springs firefighter badly burned when fuel exploded in an amphibious rescue vehicle remains in serious condition this morning at Upstate University Hospital. Steven Kalet, 35, first assistant chief at the Union Springs volunteer fire department, was moving the DUKW, one of two amphibious vehicles used by the department to rescue swimmers and boaters, out of the...
Union Springs, NY--A Union Springs firefighter badly burned when fuel exploded in an amphibious rescue vehicle remains in serious condition this morning at Upstate University Hospital.
Steven Kalet, 35, first assistant chief at the Union Springs volunteer fire department, was moving the DUKW, one of two amphibious vehicles used by the department to rescue swimmers and boaters, out of the station shortly before 4 p.m. Monday when a fuel leak caused an explosion.
Kalet was taken by helicopter to Upstate University Hospital. A nursing supervisor said he was in serious condition this morning.
Kalet has been with the fire department for about 15 years, and has been an assistant chief for two.
Union Springs has two DUKWs. The one Kalet was in was built in 1946, Waldron said. The other dates to 1943. Waldron said the neither the DUKW nor the station was badly damaged.
Kalet was preparing to perform maintenance on the vehicle, preparing for the warmer weather when boaters and swimmers crowd the finger lakes.