A fire at a homeless encampment in St. Paul sent tents up in flames and burned a man, according to the fire department.

Firefighters responded to the area of the Lafayette Road railway overpass, near Union Gospel Mission and the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, about 9 p.m. Wednesday.

A space heater that was just outside a tent malfunctioned and started the fire, according to Assistant Fire Chief Jeramiah Melquist. Ten to 15 propane bottles were being stored in the tent, and a man was trying to put out the tent fire when his face and hands were burned, Melquist said.

The man sustained first-degree burns, which are are the least serious. Fire department medics took the man to the hospital and Melquist said he’s recovering.

The fire spread quickly to eight to 10 tents.

The St. Paul Public Works bridge division inspected the overpass Thursday morning and determined there was not significant structural damages, according to the city.

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