One Adult Injured in Explosion

Contact: John S. Robison, State Fire Marshal
334-241-4166

5/14/2003

One adult received 2nd degree burns Wednesday morning and is currently in critical condition at the University of Alabama Birmingham Burn Center.

Andrew R. Kieser, age 39, was burned when a automobile gasoline tank exploded.  The victim and another man had loaded a car frame on a trailer and were cutting the frame in half.  While attempting to cut the gasoline tank brackets, the oxy-acetylene torch the victim was using came in contact with the gas line to the tank.  The tank exploded, burning Mr. Keiser.

The incident occurred around 8:30 AM at 5872 Mt. Ida Road in Luverne.  The victim was originally transported to the Crenshaw Baptist Hospital and then transferred to UAB.

The investigation by local authorities and the Alabama State Fire Marshals Office continues.