Wiggins Village man dies after fall into debris fire
Polk County Enterprise - August 2009

LIVINGSTON — Howard Anthony “Tuffy” Stevens of Livingston died at about 2 a.m. Friday from burn injuries sustained Wednesday when he accidentally fell into a debris fire at his residence, reports from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office show. Stevens was tending a small debris fire at his residence in Wiggins Village #1 at the time of the accident. Neighbors told investigators they heard him screaming and went to try to help him. A passing motorist also saw the accident and called 911 from a house nearby. “It appears accidental according to the witness statements,” Capt. Ricki Childers said Friday. Stevens suffered from a seizure disorder for a long time and investigators believe the fall was caused by a seizure, according to Childers. Stevens was taken to Memorial Medical Center-Livingston by ambulance and was later transferred to the burn unit at Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston by LifeFlight. He reportedly suffered burns to 80 percent of his body. An autopsy was scheduled to be performed at the Harris County Medical Examiner’s Office.