Burning Man Pulled From Canadian Motel Room After Explosion, Gas Suspected
Long was in another unit when an explosion ripped through a motel room, leaving its resident with third-degree burns.
``I saw the flames coming out the window and I thought, `Jesus, I hope nobody's in there,''' said Long.
Long and his friend, Ron McKay, were across the courtyard in another unit when they heard the explosion. They rushed to the burning room, kicking in the door and peering in.
Long saw a man engulfed in flames, crawling toward the door.
Thoughts of his brother entered Long's mind when he saw the man's injuries.
``When I see that extensive damage to somebody from fire, it brings it all back,'' he said.
Long grabbed the man and hauled him out, using a nearby garden hose to douse the flames.
He said the man wore several layers of clothing, which may have increased his chances of survival.
``Ron put the hose on him and tried to cool him off. His hair and beard were still smouldering,'' said Long, adding the man managed to joke about it being a good thing he had a long beard.
Penticton fire Chief Mac Lockhart said he is certain the explosion and subsequent fire was caused by natural gas, but couldn't say if there was a leak or what ignited the gas.
A Jubilee Motel maintenance worker said the unit was rented to the same man for seven years.
Lockhart said the man was flown to Vancouver General Hospital for burn treatment.