Oxygen tank explosion ignited fatal vehicle fire in north Lincoln, fire inspector says

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Fire inspectors believe three oxygen tanks exploded during Monday’s north Lincoln vehicle fire where one man was found dead.

SEE ALSO: Lincoln Police, Fire and Rescue investigating fatal vehicle fire

Chief Fire Inspector Bill Moody said five oxygen tanks and two propane tanks were recovered in and around the vehicle.

The oxygen tanks are thought to have been compromised from overpressurization when the liquid inside began boiling.

The gas expanding within the tank then caused the explosion.

Braden Forey, a resident at the apartment complex, said the explosion woke everyone up.

“It sounded like a piece of TNT going off,” Forey said. “It made my heart skip a beat.”

Courtesy: Natasha Hollibaugh

Many other people in the area reported the explosion, saying it shook their homes and businesses from blocks away.

The other two oxygen tanks and the propane tanks did not explode in the fire.

Witnesses told the inspector that the victim was a heavy smoker.  Moody did not say if smoking played any part in the explosion.

The name of the victim has not yet been released.

Investigators have not yet determined the total cost of damage done in the fire.  However, the vehicle is a total loss, and some buildings in the area did sustain damage.

This is a developing story. Return to Channel 8 as updates become available.