A 82-year-old man sustained serious burns in a fire that may have been started by an arc welder in Pearl City.

It appears the man was using an arc welder for a hobby project when some items nearby caught on fire, said fire Capt. Terry Seelig. The cause remains under investigation.

Neighbors along Upalu Street smelled something burning and put out the flames with garden hoses about 1:50 p.m. Tuesday, Seelig said.

Paramedics took the man to the hospital in serious condition, an Emergency Medical Services supervisor said.