Man Burns Himself Using Gas To Burn Leaves

Chattanooga (WDEF) – A Chattanooga man seriously burned himself Thursday evening while trying to burn leaves.

Firefighters were called to the 29000 block of East 45th Street around 7PM to investigate an explosion.

The victim told them he was burning leaves in a ditch and used  “a small amount of gasoline.”

He told them the vapors ignited and it sounded like an explosion.

The home owner suffered 2nd and 3rd degree burns on his right arm.

Fire Chief Chris Adams says you should never, ever use gasoline to burn leaves, or anything else.

“Gasoline is actually more dangerous than dynamite,” says Fire Chief Chris Adams. “Gasoline has invisible, explosive vapors that can ignite, and explode, from more than 12 feet away. It’s extremely dangerous and should not be used for anything other than fuel for your car and outdoor equipment.”