FOXBURG, Clarion County — A man accidentally set his house on fire and burned his hands Wednesday night when he tried filling a kerosene heater that was still ignited, authorities said.

However, quick action by firefighters saved the two-story house on North Palmer Avenue.

Homeowner Blair Kriebel suffered minor burns but refused hospital treatment.

“He was trying to put kerosene in his heater, which was lit, and splashed the kerosene around,” said Chief Rod Hopper of the Foxburg Volunteer Fire Company. “It caught a wall in the kitchen on fire.”

Kriebel, who lived alone in the house that has no utilities, made it outside. Moments later, a neighbor saw the fire about 9:40 p.m. and called 911.

Foxburg firefighters were there in minutes.

“When we arrived,” Hopper said, “we saw heavy kerosene smoke coming from the first floor.

“The fire damage was contained to the kitchen, but I don’t know if it’s still livable,” Hopper said.

Kriebel is staying with his father in West Freedom, Clarion County.