DIXFIELD — A local man remained in critical condition at a Portland hospital Wednesday night, a day after he suffered third-degree burns in a fire at his farmhouse on Averill Hill Road, officials said.

Richard Roberts, 78, was heating water on a propane kitchen stove when his clothing caught fire, according to information from the State Fire Marshal’s Office released by Maine Department of Public Safety spokesman Stephen McCausland.

“He suffered burns to 45 percent of his body,” McCausland wrote.

Fire Chief Scott Dennett said Tuesday that the most serious burns were to Roberts’ hands and arms.

Roberts, who lives alone at 97 Averill Hill Road, called 911 at about 6 p.m., McCausland wrote.

Dennett said Deputy Fire Chief Chris Moretto was the first one at the farmhouse and saw Roberts standing between the kitchen and outside door.

“Chris was able to encourage him to come out,” Dennett said.

Roberts was taken to Rumford Hospital and flown to Maine Medical Center in Portland.

Dennett said Wednesday that a state fire investigator is interviewing people Roberts may have spoken to in the ambulance and emergency room to try to verify what happened.

There was little damage to the kitchen, Dennett said.

“We were able to extinguish the small fire fairly quickly,” he said.

bfarrin@sunmediagroup.net

Fire officials say Richard Roberts was using a propane kitchen stove inside his home when his clothes caught on fire, leaving him burned on nearly half of his body. (WGME)