A Jamestown man who was critically burned in an incident Christmas night died at Vanderbilt University Burn Unit Tuesday evening, December 27.

Lyle Hawkins, Jr., 57, caught on fire at his home on Scholl St. behind Skaggs’ Variety Store Sunday night, according to Arson Investigator Alex Wesley of the Kentucky State Police.

He suffered life threatening second and third degree burns to the lower portion of his body in the incident and was in critical condition at the Nashville hospital for several days.

The cause of the fire, which also damaged Hawkins’ home, is unknown at this time but no foul play is suspected, according to the state police.

Passing driver Justin Belt and his wife Melinda noticed Hawkins on the porch of his home with his clothing on fire and upon arriving at the residence Belt used his shirt to smoother the flames on Hawkins’ body, according to police.

Hawkins was transported by Russell County EMS to the Russell County Hospital for treatment before being flown to UK Medical Center in Lexington.

He was later transferred to Vanderbilt where he underwent multiple surgeries before passing away around 8 p.m. last Tuesday.

The fire was reported to Russell County Dispatch at around 8:20 p.m. Sunday.

While officials say the fire looks to have originated in a garbage can inside the home the incident remains under investigation by Trooper Wesley and investigators with the state fire marshal’s office as well as the Jamestown Police and Fire Departments.