May 23--An Occidental woman suffered first- and second-degree burns Wednesday night when her propane stove exploded while she was trying to reignite the pilot light.
Residents of the home in the 4100 block of Harrison Grade Road told Occidental Fire Chief Ron Lunardi they had been cooking when someone smelled propane outside.
They opened the windows and discovered the pilot light on the stove was out, Lunardi said. Two women tried to relight the stove, creating a blast that knocked one woman back four to five feet, he said.
An ambulance took her to the hospital, where she was treated for first-degree burns on her face and second-degree burns on her arms, Lunardi said.
Lunardi found all the stove's burners were on. He turned off the supply of propane, stopping the fire, which had not spread beyond the stove.
Copyright 2014 - The Press Democrat, Santa Rosa, Calif.
