Man Suffers Burns in Barbecue Explosion

A Petaluma man was burned when a leaking propane tank on his barbecue exploded Wednesday afternoon, a Petaluma Fire Department battalion chief said.

The man was lighting the barbecue outside his single-story home at 1279 McGregor Ave. around 2:50 p.m. when he heard a hissing sound, Battalion Chief Jeff Holden said.

The fire flashed as the man bent over to check the source of the sound, and he suffered first- and second-degree burns on one of his arms, Holden said.

The fire spread to an exterior wall of the home and into the attic through a gable vent, Holden said.

Firefighters cut open the roof to ventilate the trapped heat and smoke, and controlled the fire at 3:13 p.m., Holden said.

Burned items were removed, and firefighters performed an extensive overhaul of the attic to make sure the blaze was out, Holden said.

The fire caused structural damage estimated at $15,000 and an unknown amount of smoke damage to the home and its contents, Holden said.

The burn victim declined transport to a hospital and told emergency responders he would drive himself, Holden said.

Two of the man's children were home at the time of the fire but no other injuries were reported.

The Rancho Adobe Fire Protection District also responded to the blaze.

-- Bay City News Service

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