Aug. 28--A Kissimmee man in his 70s was making breakfast when an explosion inside his home sent him flying backward Tuesday morning.
"It is remarkable he only had first-degree burns," said Osceola County Fire Rescue Deputy Chief Daniel McAvoy.
A gas leak filled the house with propane and at about 6:30 a.m. when the elderly man turned his oven on inside his home on Acapulco Drive, the stove's ignition caused an explosion, McAvoy said.
The blast was so powerful windows, glass doors, walls and the garage door were blown out.
The man, who has not been named by authorities, was transported to the hospital with first-degree burns to his face and arms. His wife, who was in the back of the home, was not injured, officials said.
Fire officials still don't know how the house filled with gas, but said the stove's incorrect installation was the source.
"Whoever did that installation did it improperly," McAvoy said.
The new stove, bought from the Sears Outlet in Winter Park, was installed in a utility room within the house and connected to a 20 pound propane tank outside of the home, McAvoy said.
An additional propane tank also was outside and neither were damaged, McAvoy said.
Officials said they are not sure who installed the new stove, but said it was not Sears.
Firefighters said the house is destroyed. The State Fire Marshal's office will continue to investigate the cause of the incident.
"Nobody realizes how powerful propane is, but you must follow the manufacture's instructions," McAvoy said.
To ensure correct installation of stoves and other appliances, research installers and choose one that is licensed, insured and an expert at pulling the correct permit, McAvoy said.
Good installers will make sure to have permits "so the county can inspect their work," McAvoy said.
[email protected] or 407-420-5620 or @jerriannOS
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