East Washingtonian - Your Hometown News Source

WAITSBURG–A Waitsburg man, Mark Leroue Jr., is recovering from third-degree burns at Harbor View Medical Center in Seattle following a March 11 explosion at Nancy’s Dream Garden Center on Second Street.

Leroue, 34, was helping insulate a 10-foot by 10-foot shed when something sparked an explosion and the blast blew the door shut, trapping Leroue inside with the flames.

Doug Biolo reacted to the sound of the explosion, broke down the door and doused Leroue with water until the ambulance arrived. Columbia County Fire District No. 3 ambulance responded and LifeFlight was launched, arriving shortly before noon, according to Janet Biolo Lawrence.

After being treated at Providence St. Mary Medical Center in Walla Walla, Leroue was flown to Harborview ICU Burn Center.

Doctors initially estimated Leroue received burns over 45-70% of his body, later revising the figure to around 45%.

Leroue had his first surgery on March 13. Doctors reported they grafted two-thirds of the burned area on Leroue’s back and one of his arms.

There have been a number of surgeries in the weeks since the accident, reports Pauline Leroue. The latest surgery was April 1 to graft skin on the chest, arms and hands.

Lawrence reports that Leroue is starting to be eased off of ventilator support and has been needed less medication such as antibiotics and sedatives.

An account has been established at Banner Bank, Waitsburg, for “Mark Leroue Jr Medical Expenses.” A Go Fund Me has also been set up: https://gofund.me/39dc96f4