A strong explosion in Eastern Kanawha County this morning blew the helmet off a firefighter.
“It sounded almost like a cannon going off,” Malden Fire Chief, Squeak Peterson told WSAZ.
The tank burst, sending pieces flying through one neighbors home and another neighbors shed, according to firefighters. The firefighters say they’re lucky to be a alive.
“If they had been on the attack mode at that time instead of stretching the line, if they would have been in front of that door there would have been serious injuries if not fatalities from the fire fight,” Peterson said.
Firefighter warn if you have an oxygen tank in your home to steer clear from open flames and smoking near the tank.
If your home starts filling with smoke or flames, let firefighters know if you have an oxygen tank, extended amounts of ammunition or gasoline in your home.
ORIGINAL STORY 12/1/16 @ 6 a.m.
KANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) — An oxygen tank exploded during a house fire in eastern Kanawha County.
It happened around 2 a.m. Thursday at a home in the 1600 block of Pittman Lane in the Rutledge area of Kanawha County.
Crews say the homeowner told them he was watching television when he starting smelling smoke.
According to firefighters, the homeowner says the smoke alarm started going off so he went outside and called 911.
When crews arrived on scene, they say flames were shooting from the home.
As firefighters were preparing to put out the fire, an oxygen tank exploded.
No one was hurt.
One side of the home was damaged.
Crews say the fire appears to have sparked because of an electrical issue.
