A Spanish Fork man died Wednesday afternoon from second- and third-degree burns sustained during an Easter barbecue.

Larry Webster, 73, was lighting a charcoal grill Sunday so he could cook some burgers. He was alone outside when his shirt caught fire.

Webster’s granddaughter, Mandee Webster, said in an interview Wedesday no lighter fluid was used. It was an accident, she said, likely caused by Larry Webster leaning over the grill while wearing a polyester shirt.

Family in the kitchen saw the incident and were able to go outside and put the fire out with a blanket within a couple of minutes. Larry Webster was conscious following the accident and told family he didn’t need an ambulance.

But when Spanish Fork police and EMS responded to the home and assessed the burns, Larry Webster was flown to University Hospital. He sustained burns on half his body and was placed on life support.

Mandee Webster said from the beginning, doctors told family that there was no chance of survival outside of a miracle. Larry Webster held on long enough for family to spend a few days with him and say their goodbyes. But Mandee Webster said her grandfather had discussed such situations with his wife, and on Wednesday morning they took him off life support, following his wishes.

Larry Webster died at 2:32 p.m.

“Even if we tried everything we could do, he would have passed anyway,” Mandee Webster said.



Webster was a teacher, most recently at Payson Junior High School.

“He was a very strong and intelligent man,” Mandee Webster said. “People loved him and looked up to him. He could always bring people together.”

