Owner remains in critical condition.
An early afternoon explosion at a Fayette County business has left the owner of the business in critical condition at a Columbus area hospital. Virgil Barker,69, the owner of Barkers Towing, Recovery and Tire Service sustained burns to his face and body while working at the rear of his business Saturday afternoon.
According to Sheriff Vernon Stanforth, Mr. Barker was using a torch to remove the top from a metal barrel when the explosion occurred. Mr. Barker sustained burns to his face and body and was transported from the scene by Med-Flight to a Columbus area hospital for medical treatment.
As a result of the explosion, a section of the rear of the business caught fire and was extinguished by the Jefferson Township Fire Department. Mr. Barker remains hospitalized in critical condition.
