A Cuba man suffering severe burns when his apartment caught fire last week has died at the age of 58. Vernon (Randy) Gibbs died Tuesday, Dec. 15, after being transported to an area hospital for treatment of severe bodily burns and smoke inhalation.

Local volunteer firefighters and EMS were called to the scene at Mapleshade Apartments in the noontime hour for a reported structure fire. They were advised by neighboring tenants that the disabled occupant of the apartment could not be accounted for and was heard calling for help.

Cuba Fire Chief Mike Plank said his men entered the front door of the apartment and found Gibbs lying on the floor about 10 to 12 feet from the doorway. They drug him out of the apartment and EMS workers immediately took over.

Still alive and reportedly stable at that time, the victim was flown by helicopter to the Sullivan hospital, where his condition worsened and he was flown on to a St. Louis treatment center.

Plank said the man had suffered severe second and third degree burns to much of his body. He described the fire scene as having “a lot of heavy smoke and a lot of heat.”

The fire department was on scene within seven minutes of the initial call and put the fire out quickly.

Investigators from the fire marshal’s office ruled the cause of the fire undetermined. There is supposition that a smoldering cigarette may have sparked the blaze.

“In the 25-plus years that I’ve been here (with the fire department), that’s the first true rescue of a live victim that we’ve ever conducted. Our crew did exceptionally well,” said Chief Plank. “It’s a real shame and a tragedy that he was not able to survive the incident.”

Gibbs’ apartment key was still stuck in the front door lock when authorities arrived on scene. The walker he used to get around was outside and his wheelchair by the doorway.

Investigators are unsure exactly how Gibbs got trapped inside his apartment and are guessing that he may have returned home to discover the apartment on fire and tried to put it out. Gibbs had two dogs kept in a bedroom and may have attempted to save them. They also died in the fire from asphyxiation.

Gibbs is survived by a wife, daughter, three sisters and one grandchild. He was buried at Kinder Cemetery in Cuba on Friday, Dec. 18, following a funeral service at Hutson Funeral Home in Steelville.