A rural Brainerd man, Harvey Starks- 40, was severely burned as a gas cooking stove he was trying to light exploded.  Subsequently 3 mobile homes and a pickup were destroyed in the blaze that followed.

     Starks was airlifted by North Air Care to Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis where he is listed in critical condition.

     Upon arrival, firefighters found only the charred remains of the wooden frame in the front of Stark's mobile home.

      Despite the damage, Stark was the only person injured in the blast according to Sheriff Dahl.