A man was left seriously injured after a propane tank reportedly exploded in his face, causing the tank to catch fire near McHenry Thursday afternoon, fire officials said.
The Nunda Rural Fire Protection District responded around 12:19 p.m. Thursday to the 2900 block of Riverside Drive in unincorporated McHenry for a report of a burn victim.
A 911 caller reported that a propane tank had exploded in a person’s face, according to Nunda Rural Fire Protection District Public Information Officer Alex Vucha.
A medical helicopter was placed on standby due to the initial report.
Firefighters arrived and found an adult male with visible burn injuries but no evidence of an explosion, Vucha said.
A 20-pound propane tank was actively burning in the driveway near a wooden trailer and garage.
Vucha said the tank off-gassed the remaining contents and extinguished itself within minutes. No other property was damaged.
The medical helicopter was canceled as the patient was treated at the scene by paramedics.
The man was transported to a local hospital by ambulance with injuries believed to be serious. A further evaluation was being conducted at the hospital.
“Incidents like this highlight how quickly propane-related emergencies can escalate and the importance of using caution when working with fuel systems,” Vucha said.
“Ensuring equipment is properly maintained and used as intended can help reduce the risk of serious injury,” he added.