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Man burns face
Liberty Co fire service

A utility worker who was changing an aerosol paint can Friday morning in the cab of his work truck learned that lighting a cigarette in an enclosed area could lead to disastrous results.


According to Hinesville Fire Department Public Information Officer Capt. Robert Kitchings, the man, a utility worker who was doing an underground locate in the area of west Oglethorpe and Link street, was marking the area with spray paint when he entered the cab of his utility vehicle to change an areosol paint can.  

The unidentified man decided to light a cigarette while changing the can causing the cans vapor to ignite into a flash fire burning his beard and face. 

The man was transported to Liberty County Regional Medical Center In Hinesville for treatment. 

Kitchings is unsure if the man had to be flown out to another facility.

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Winter storm warning issued
snow forecast

Southeast Georgia, including Liberty and Long counties, is under a winter storm warning from the National Weather Service.

Rain in the afternoon will change to a sleet/snow mix in the late afternoon, then snow in the evening and continue overnight. Along the Georgia coast, rain in the afternoon will change to a freezing rain or sleet mix in the evening. One to two inches of snow is expected for most regions with locally higher amounts possible. As much as a quarter-inch of ice is expected along the Georgia coast.

The coldest period will occur Tuesday through Thursday night. Near record-low temperatures are possible Wednesday night. Dangerous wind chills are possible, especially Wednesday night, with values as low as 8-15°F.

● Tuesday: Highs in the upper 30s with temperatures falling into the lower 20s

● Wednesday: Highs in the mid-30s, with temperatures dropping into the teens overnight. Minimum wind chill values as cold as 8-15o F above zero

● Thursday: Highs near 40o F, with temperatures again falling into the lower 20s Thursday night.

Snow/Freezing Rain

The risk for accumulating snow and freezing rain persists

● Most likely start time: 4-7 p.m. Tuesday.

● Greatest impact: 8 p.m. Tuesday to 6 a.m. Wednesday.

● Precipitation ends: 6-10 a.m. Wednesday.

Refreeze/Black Ice

Melted snow and ice may refreeze Wednesday night and Thursday night, increasing the risk of black ice

● Hazards include slippery roads and surfaces

● Suspension bridge cables may accumulate ice, leading to the potential for falling ice

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