Tacoma Man Burned In Steam Locomotive Explosion

A Tacoma man in his 40s was badly burned in a steam locomotive explosion, rural fire officials said.

Kurt Ferris was in critical condition Sunday at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle with second-and third-degree burns over 80 percent of his body.

Ferris was working with a Shelton-area man Saturday to prepare a 68-year-old steam locomotive for a forestry festival when a pressure valve apparently failed as they fired up the engine, said Lt. Mike White of Mason County Fire District 5.

Ferris was blown about 20 feet by the blast, but there was no apparent damage to buildings or other property, White said.

The accident occurred on a railroad spur behind a wood processing operation about a half-dozen miles northwest of Shelton, which is about 45 miles southwest of Seattle.