DIXFIELD, Maine (AP)   Officials say a western Maine man is in the hospital after a kitchen fire left him with burns over nearly half his body.

Firefighters say they were on the scene Tuesday night in Dixfield, and victim Richard Roberts had to be airlifted to an area hospital. Firefighter Chris Morretto says he was able to put out the kitchen fire and prevent it from spreading.

Fire Chief Scott Dennett says 78-year-old Roberts had burns over 45 percent of his body, with significant burning on his hands and arms. Investigators say the fire started when Roberts’ clothing caught fire as he was heating water on his stove.

The home has no exterior damage and the damage inside the home is minor.

The Maine Fire Marshal’s Office says Roberts was heating water on a propane kitchen stove when his clothes caught fire.