Officials: Ignited gas fumes caused car explosion

State and local fire officials have determined the cause of recent car fires that took place outside of Jennings American Legion Hospital.

Investigators from the Jennings Fire Department and Jennings Police Department, along with investigators from the state fire marshal’s office, determined that the cause of the explosion on July 12 were fumes from a gas can sparked by a lit cigarette.

Jennings Fire Chief Hulin Theriot said gas can was located in the back seat of the victim’s car.

“The victim started the car and lit a cigarette. The vapors in the vehicle met with the cigarette and that caused the initial explosion,” he said.

There was also magnesium in parts of the car that Theriot said contributed to the damage of the explosion. He said magnesium is found in many cars in door and seat frames, steering wheels, steering hanger beams and in several parts of their motors.

“It’s a metal that is very flammable and because of how it was heated during the explosion, that’s where the popping noises were coming from,” he said.

Theriot advised against keeping gasoline inside a vehicle – especially with closed doors.

“If you do carry it in your car, you need to use the appropriate container to carry the gasoline in,” Theriot said. “A gas can approved by Underwriter Laboratories with design features such as caps which can close and seal gas safely or which have a latch which you can manually open to pour gas are best.”

Theriot said other information on gasoline can safety can be found on the UL website.