A man was hospitalized with burns Saturday after he added gasoline instead of detergent to a washing machine, causing an explosion that blew the door to his St. Paul apartment building's laundry room off its hinges.

When St. Paul firefighters arrived at 830 Laurel Ave. about 9:10 a.m. in the Summit-University neighborhood, the fire was basically out, said deputy chief Mike Hogan. There was no damage to the six apartment units in the building or other injuries.

The 49-year-old man had what appeared to be second-degree burns on up to 5 percent of his lower legs, and paramedics took him to Regions Hospital, Hogan said.

For unknown reasons, the man who neighbors described as a "backyard mechanic" was using gasoline to wash his grease-soaked clothes and "didn't think anything of it," Hogan said. The hot water heater or another source ignited the fire, which led to the explosion, he said.

Submitted on 06/05/2006

Submitted by: Joe Hibberd
Reference: st. paul pioneer press 6-4-06

Copyright © 2006 DarwinAwards.com

James said:
Definitely Toss: Repeat
Thanks for taking the time to submit, but we’ve already received this story and there’s no new info here!

Greg said:
Definitely Keep: Honorable Mention
I thought we threw the other ones because they were links only - this is the first full write-up? I may be wrong, but I did a search and it doesn't come up. And as the first full write-up, I think it's a keeper as an HM. :-)

Jorge said:
Definitely Toss: Repeat

Jack said:
Definitely Keep: Honorable Mention
I'm with Greg. A quick run through the Slush Pile Rejects didn't show any story with information.

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