Enid, OK – A local man was burned Christmas Eve when he attempted to light a cigarette and his home exploded.
Enid Fire Department responded at 6:38 p.m Dec. 24, 2017, at 709 E. Oklahoma after Terry Lee Coldwell, 56, reported he was in his bedroom when he attempted to light a cigarette and the house exploded, blowing out windows, walls and the front porch, according to an EFD report.
Coldwell attempted to escape but was disoriented and could not get a door open due to the damage to the doors and frames, the report states.
His brother, Tony Coldwell, who lives in a trailer in the backyard ran to Terry’s home after he heard and felt the explosion.
Tony Coldwell could hear Terry screaming and found a door he could force open. He grabbed his brother and took him to the front yard, according to the report.
EFD found Terry Coldwell with burns estimated over 89 percent of his body. He was in “extreme pain” and was treated at the scene with oxygen and covered with a blanket, while fire personnel tried to get as much information about the incident as possible, the report states.
Life EMS ordered a helicopter when notified of Terry Coldwell’s injuries and began treatment with drugs and transported him to the helipad.
Integris Paul Silverstein Burn Center, in Oklahoma City, confirmed Tuesday that Coldwell is in critical but stable condition.
EFD personnel learned the victim had been using propane fired heaters to heat the home. It is suspected there was a leak in the fuel system, allowing propane gas to collect in the home and ignite explosively from the cigarette lighter, the report states.
The house is a complete loss.