Propane sniffer burned after lighting cigarette
Last Updated: Monday, July 6, 2009 | 11:11 AM CT
CBC News
A man who had apparently been inhaling propane in his truck is being treated for burns after lighting up a cigarette and causing an explosion, Regina police say.
The windshield of the truck was blown out by the blast at around 5:30 a.m. Monday.
Minutes before, police were checking on the truck, which was parked on Sandra Schmirler Way on the west side of the city.
It appeared the driver inside the truck was asleep, Regina police spokeswoman Elizabeth Popowich said.
When one officer tapped on the side window, the driver rolled it down. Beside him was a tank of propane, an explosive gas he had apparently been inhaling, Popowich said.
At that point, the driver tried to light a cigarette.
"As our officers were standing near the truck, there was an explosion that blew the windshield out of the front of the truck and injured the driver inside," she said.
The man, 34, was taken to hospital with burns to his face, arms and body, Popowich said.
Neither officer was injured.
Police continue to investigate, but haven't made any decisions yet about charging the man, she said.
