May 18, 2009 10:44 am US/Central
Man Badly Burned in Dolton Explosion, Fire
DOLTON, Ill. (Sun-Times Media Wire) ―
A man working on a car was badly burned Sunday afternoon when the vehicle caught fire, causing a fire that burned the garage and a neighboring home in south suburban Dolton.
About 2 p.m., crews responded to a fire at 15147 Irving Ave. in Dolton, according to Dolton police Chief Richard Fox.
A 64-year-old man was working on a car in a garage at the address when it exploded, Fox said. Fire engulfed the garage, a home north of the garage and the man working on the car, Fox said.
Dolton Fire Chief Jerry McCullough said the man accidentally broke a gas line, which caused the garage and neighboring home to be engulfed in flames.
The man, who was beneath the vehicle when it caught fire, was initially taken to Saint Margaret Mercy Healthcare Centers North Campus in Hammond, Ind. with second and third-degree burns, Fox said. He was then transferred, possibly by medical helicopter, to John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County's burn unit.
McCullough said Monday morning that the man was expected to survive.
Another man was also taken from the scene to Saint Margaret's in Hammond, Fox said. He was treated for burns and was in good condition, McCullough said.
Smoke in the area was "very heavy," Fox said, and fire crews evacuated some families in nearby homes as a precautionary measure.
"We were able to protect some exposures," McCullough said.
The fire was elevated to a third alarm, according to unconfirmed dispatch reports.
The blaze was out as of 6 p.m. and people were going back into their homes, Fox said. The garage, one home, two cars and two trucks were destroyed in the blaze, McCullough said.
The fire also spread to another home, but did not sustain as much damage.
Five people were displaced and staying with family members, McCullough said. "Thank God the family wasn't there [when the fire started,] he said.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2009. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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