Firefighter from Baxter Springs injured in Friday fire

One firefighter was seriously injured after being dispatched to an area fire in Baxter Springs Friday night.

After he sustained his injuries, Lieutenant Malachi Brown was taken first to Joplin by ambulance and then flown to the Burn Unit in Springfield, according to a post from his wife.

The cause of the fire is being investigated by the State Fire Marshall’s office, according to a post from the Baxter Springs Fire Department.

Brown’s wife, Jessica, says further in her post that Lieutenant Brown has “severe burns over 27% of his body,” and, “that he will remain sedated and on the ventilator until at least Friday.”

Lieutenant Brown is expected to survive, but he will have a long recovery in front of him.