Man, 60, Burned in Gunpowder Mishap

STANTON — A 60-year-old man was listed in stable condition Saturday with second-degree burns over 40% of his body after an explosion in his garage, officials said.

Fire officials said Leon Potter, who lives in the 9600 block of Harle Avenue, was welding about 12:15 p.m. when gunpowder in an open container ignited and exploded.

Dennis Shell, an Orange County Fire Authority spokesman, said Potter, who might have suffered lung injuries, was on fire when a neighbor rushed to douse him with a hose.

Potter was taken to Martin Luther Hospital’s burn unit in Anaheim, Shell said.