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59 °F Forecast | Road Cams Monday, April 5, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend March 16, 2004 Driver rescues burning man By MARK FREEMAN Mail Tribune An east Medford man engulfed in flames in front of his group home Monday was doused by a bottled-water deliveryman armed with a five-gallon bottle, thwarting what police suspect was a suicide attempt. Christopher Orley Thompson suffered severe burns in the 9:35 a.m. fire outside the home in the 2700 block of Tahitian Avenue before Mount Shasta Springs deliveryman Adam Johnson came to Thompson’s rescue. "I was driving down the street and saw this big ball of fire and thought, perfect, I have plenty of water," said Johnson, 24, of Medford. "Then I realized it was a guy." Flames had burned most or all of Thompson’s clothing, and Johnson said he thought the man was dead. "When the fire got off his face, he took a gasp of air, exhaled smoke and I realized he was alive," Johnson said. Advertisement Thompson was taken by ambulance to Providence Medford Medical Center, police said. He was later airlifted to Portland, where he was in critical condition Monday night in the Oregon Burn Center at Legacy Emanuel Hospital. "It’s all really tragic. Everyone’s in shock," group home owner Kathy Warner said Monday. "We love Chris very much." Medford police detectives initially suspected it might have been a suicide attempt, but they said Thompson may have touched off the fire accidentally, Lt. Mike Moran said. Investigators, however, found no evidence that anyone else was involved in the fire as of Monday night, Lt. Tim George said. There was a strong odor of gas and investigators were looking into whether that or any other flammable liquid played a part in the fire, Moran said. A can of gasoline similar to one used for lawn mowers was on the driveway when Johnson arrived, Johnson said. Sooty footprints also led from the driveway to where Thompson’s body fell on the home’s front lawn. "We’re still trying to figure out how the gasoline plays into it," George said. Citing confidentiality rules, Warner declined to reveal any information about Thompson, nor would she say how many people live in the single-story adult foster-care home. Reach reporter Mark Freeman at 776-4470, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times