Small Explosion Burns Man Dismantling Car

An Antelope Valley man received second-degree burns to his face and arms Thursday when a car he was working on exploded outside his home, the Los Angeles County Fire Department said.

William Gibson, 61, of Palmdale was using a cutting torch to take apart a car in his yard at East Avenue R-2 and Longview Road about 2 p.m when he ignited vapors in the empty gas tank, causing a small explosion, Capt. Larry Zardeneta said.

Gibson was treated at Antelope Valley Hospital Medical Center for his burns and released, a hospital spokeswoman said.

“There was no fire at the time we got there. It was just one flash and he caught the brunt of it,” Zardeneta said. “The gas tank was empty but apparently there were vapors still inside that were ignited.”