Hillsborough Man Burned After Pouring Gasoline on Fire

A Hillsborough man suffered burns over the weekend after pouring gasoline into a backyard fire pit over the weekend, authorities said.

Shortly before 9 p.m. on Sunday, April 26, police responded to a residence in the 100 block of Meadowbrook Drive in Hillsborough after reports of an explosion and fire, according to a report from NJ.com. After arriving, police observed a fire in the residence’s backyard, which was largely contained in a man-made fire pit, the report said. Officers also saw a shoe and flannel shirt on the ground smoking and on fire, authorities said.

The man, who has not been identified, reportedly said he was having a bonfire and poured gasoline on the flames in an attempt to make the fire bigger, MyCentralJersey.com reported. After pouring the gasoline into the fire pit, the fire exploded onto him, authorities said.

The man was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment and was also issued a summons having an open burn without a permit.