Portland, OR. — A 44-year-old man was hospitalized Sunday night after an apparent explosion inside a North Portland apartment sent debris across Interstate Avenue and triggered a fire response.
Just before 8:30 p.m., Portland Fire & Rescue crews responded to reports of an explosion and possible fire at an apartment complex in the Overlook neighborhood. A caller told dispatchers at BOEC that while driving north on Interstate Avenue, multiple windows appeared to blow out of the building.
Firefighters arrived to find shattered glass and window framing scattered across the roadway, with residents gathered outside. Inside the affected unit, crews discovered that a fire sprinkler system had activated, preventing flames from spreading beyond the room where the explosion occurred.
Firefighters checked the apartment for fire extension and inspected neighboring and upstairs units for additional damage. The injured occupant, identified as a 44-year-old man, suffered burns covering approximately 15% of his body and was transported in stable condition to the Oregon Burn Center.
Investigators determined the explosion resulted from a do-it-yourself attempt to refill a butane lighter.
Officials said this marks the second butane lighter refill explosion in two weeks that required treatment at the Oregon Burn Center.
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