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A wood shop teacher at Pocahontas Area Community High School was transported Tuesday afternoon to Pocahontas Hospital before being airlifted to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics following burns he received from a flash fire on school property.

Emergency services were called to the high school at nearly 2 p.m. Tuesday, responding to reports of a fire and an injury. Students had all been evacuated when fire fighters arrived. Heavy smoke was coming from the technical education building on the east side of the school. According to fire investigators, a spark from a hammer being sanded ignited sawdust in the shop area. The fire traveled into the sawdust collection unit. When the unit was opened by teacher Brian Blomker, 60, a flash fire resulted in burns to his hands and arms.

The fire was contained to the wood shop and smoke damage was minimal. The school opened on time today. There is currently no additional information on the status of Blomker or the severity of his burns.