A disabled Army veteran who was burned in an explosion while doing yard work Monday has died.
The incident occurred around 1:45 p.m. behind a home in the 3000 block of Wheeler Avenue, according to a news release from the Chattanooga Fire Department.
The 57-year-old man, whose name has not been released, was trying to burn a "very large stump" in his neighbor's backyard using a mixture of oil and gasoline, the release states. The container exploded and flames blew back onto the man, causing severe burns to his entire body.
A neighbor tore burning clothes off of a disabled veteran's body in an attempt to minimize the damage after a can of gasoline and oil exploded on him, according to the Chattanooga Fire Department.The neighbor heard the loud boom from the explosion and rushed to the veteran's aid, pulling off his burning clothes in an effort to minimize his injuries. He then called 911, the release states.
The man was rushed to Erlanger with what fire investigators described as "life-threatening" wounds. He was then transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center's burn unit in Nashville, where he died.
A fire department spokeswoman said the man was "well-known in his neighborhood for always being willing to help others in the community."
"Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time," the release states.