Fond du Lac, Wis. — A man is hospitalized recovering from significant burns after a gasoline explosion occurred while he attempted to start a fire pit on the evening of May 3. The Fond du Lac Fire and Rescue Department responded to the incident reported just before 6 p.m. on North Park Avenue.
Upon arrival, firefighters learned that the explosive event was confined to a portable fire pit located in the driveway of a residence. The Fond du Lac Police Department was already on the scene when emergency responders arrived, providing details about the situation. Firefighters quickly extinguished the remnants of the fire using a water extinguisher. Medics discovered the injured man inside the home, who had sustained multiple burns to his hands, arms, and face.
According to fire officials, the man attempted to ignite the fire pit using gasoline poured from a can onto cardboard placed within it. After the gasoline ignited the cardboard, the flames traveled back to the can, resulting in a powerful explosion that engulfed him in flames and burned his clothing. The force of the blast was so intense that it detached the top of the gasoline can, which has yet to be located.
Fire officials cautioned that using gasoline or other flammable liquids to ignite recreational fires is extremely dangerous and can lead to severe injury. They emphasized the importance of safety when dealing with fire, particularly in residential areas.
The city of Fond du Lac has specific ordinances regulating recreational fire pits, which explicitly prohibit the use of flammable liquids. The regulations also dictate the permissible distances for lighting fires from homes and other structures, aiming to prevent such accidents.
Authorities are urging the community to exercise caution and ensure that safety measures are followed to avoid future incidents. The fire department reiterated, “Always use appropriate materials for starting fires, and never use gasoline or similar substances.”