A man escaped his burning home Monday afternoon with minor injuries in a fire that sparked explosions and caused $140,000 damage, fire officials said.
John Dean said in an interview he had been doing laundry in his home at 5319 Stockwell St. around 2:50 p.m., just prior to the explosion.
Clothes that had hydraulic fluid spilled on them remained flammable as they were being dried, Lincoln Fire Investigator Ken Hilger said.
The dryer ignited the clothes, which burned for some time before the fire eventually caused an explosion after igniting nearby aerosol cans and paint thinner, Hilger said.
Dean tried to put out the fire, causing his injuries, Hilger said.
Medical crews eventually took Dean to a Lincoln hospital to be evaluated.
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Fire crews arrived to find heavy smoke and fire coming from the one-story home, Lincoln Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief Guy Pinkman said.
The fire, which started in the basement, was upgraded to two alarms. It spread through the house, in between the floors, torched the kitchen area and got into the attic, Hilger said.
Fire crews extinguished it just before 4 p.m., Pinkman said.
No firefighters were hurt.
Hilger estimated the fire caused $100,000 to the home, valued at $73,300, and another $40,000 damage to its contents.
American Red Cross officials are assisting the homeowner and his family with relocation.
This is a developing story. Stay with for updates.