KGUN 9News

Actions

Explosion in Marana burns 57% of man's body

Posted at 10:16 PM, Jan 14, 2016
and last updated 2016-01-15 20:06:05-05
A 30-year-old man is in critical condition after a flash-type explosion near Sandario and Grier Roads late Thursday night. 
 
The explosion occurred around 10:00 p.m. in a shed behind a mobile home. The man was transported by medical helicopter to a Phoenix-area center for critical burns on 57% of his body.  
 
Northwest Fire, Marana Police, along with Bomb Squad and Haz-Mat units responded to the scene at the Valley of the Sun Mobile Home Park. A dozen mobile homes were evacuated immediately in case of any other potential explosions. 
 
After checking the scene, crews were able to determine that the scene was safe for residents to return home, but the investigation continues into what happened, as well as clean-up in the area.
 

Four other people were in the mobile near the shed at the time of the explosion, including the victim's 12-year-old daughter, mother, father and girlfriend. They were not injured. 

The blast was contained inside the shed and no other structures were damaged. 

 
Sandario Road near Marana and I-10 was closed off for hours, but has been opened.
 
Marana Police are still investigating the cause of the explosion. "We had what we believe was vapors that ignited from some ignition source," said Capt. Goldberg.