Spencer, IA (KICD)--A Spencer man is suffering from self-inflicted burns following an early Tuesday evening incident.

At approximately 6:20 p.m., the Clay County Communications Center was advised of the possibility of a person suffering severe burns and currently was being treated at the Spencer Municipal Hospital.  It was determined that 79-year-old Verle Gustoff was at 2580 390th Street in Spencer when he became engulfed in flames.  The flames extinguished and Gustoff was able to call family members, who responded and transported him to Spencer Municipal Hospital for treatment.  He was later life-flighted to the Nebraska Medical Center Burn Unit in Omaha.

At this time it appears the injuries were self-inflicted but no additional information is available. The Iowa State Fire Marshall’s Office has been notified and the investigation is continuing.  Spencer Police and the Dickens Fire Department assisted on scene.