A portable propane cylinder connected to a basement stove appears to have exploded tonight, leaving a Denver homeowner badly burned.
Four other family members escaped the two-story home unharmed after the blast blew out windows in the back and started a fire in the basement, said assistant Denver fire chief Greg Champlin.
The call for help came at 6:46 p.m. when neighbors heard a terrific boom from the home at 21349 East 44th St., he said.
The man’s name was not released. He was rushed to Denver Health Medical Center with burns on the upper half of his body.
Most of the force of the blast went out the back of the home, near the oven. Building inspectors have not yet determined whether the house is structurally sound enough to occupy.
“It’s a clear violation of the fire code,” Champlin said, “and it appears he had that propane bottle hooked to the stove and it either leaked or ruptured and exploded.”
He said the investigation had just begun, and it was too early to speculate on any charges. Fire code violations carry a fine up to $1,000 and the potential for jail time.
