Magnolia Man Who Doused Body With Brake Cleaner Causes Explosion

MAGNOLIA, TX — A Magnolia man was severely burned Tuesday night when police said he stripped down, sprayed his entire body with brake cleaner, and used a vacuum cleaner to try and get rid of bugs. Investigators said when the man turned on the vacuum cleaner, it sparked an explosion inside his mobile home and resulted in second and third-degree burns on most of the man's body.

Firefighters and investigators with the Montgomery County Fire Marshal’s Office were called to a mobile home park in the 31100 block of Timberloch Trail around 9:25 p.m. for an explosion.

When firefighters arrived at the home, they found the naked man severely burned over much of his body. He was taken to Memorial Hermann Hospital in critical condition. Deputies arrived at the home and noticed items, such as a large battery and wires, that they suspected could be bomb making materials.

Deputies evacuated the area and contacted the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office bomb squad to the area to investigate.

During the investigation, police deemed the items were not used to create a bomb but did find several empty canisters of brake cleaner in the home. Police spoke with witnesses and determined the man was trying to decontaminate himself from bugs, and that he'd doused himself with the flammable liquid and used the vacuum to clean up bugs.

Investigators said when he turned on the vacuum cleaner, a spark from the machine ignited the fumes and vapors, causing a flash explosion inside the mobile home, officials said.

The explosion caused severe burns to the man's body and extensive damage to the inside of the mobile home. Police said they are hoping to speak with the man who is still unconscious.

Anyone with any information is asked to call the Montgomery County Sheriff''s Office at 936-760-5800 or the Montgomery County Fire Marshal's Office at 936-538-8288.

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