The hose on a propane tank became dislodged and caused a fire that seriously burned a homeowner and damaged his house on Tuesday evening.
The fire broke out at a duplex in the 22100 block of Cliff Avenue around 9:30 p.m. Neighbours reported seeing a man with burns and a blackened face.
Fire chief Peter Grootendorst said there were about six people at the house when the fire broke out, and several were in the working garage.
After smelling propane, the homeowner went to a 100-pound cylinder to turn off the tap. As he did, the hose somehow became dislodged. Under pressure, it whipped around and sprayed him with liquid.
Firefighters believe a heater in the garage caused the propane to ignite, and start a serious fire.
"It had huge potential to destroy the home," Grootendorst said.
The homeowner left the garage, but went back inside to fight the fire – something the fire department always advises against, added Grootendorst.
He wound up with burns to his face and hands, but they were second-degree burns. The blackened face noticed by neighbours was likely caused by soot. The man took a cab to hospital, where he was treated and released the next day.
Fire crews aggressively attacked the fire, which travelled to the attic and moved into a deck area, but did not spread into the main section of the house. It was a dangerous fire because of the threat of the propane tanks and other accelerants in the garage.
Grootendorst said the occupants had the forethought to close a critical door between the garage and kitchen, and it worked as a barrier.
"By doing that they slowed the progression of the fire a lot," he said, adding that it is an example of why the fire department always advises people to sleep with their bedroom doors closed.
There was still significant damage to the house, which was fortunately insured. He did not have a financial damage estimate, but said it will be between three and six months before it will again be ready for occupancy.
"We were very fortunate someone wasn't more seriously hurt."