Incident Report Subject: Fork Lift Driver Engulfed in Flames Following Flash Fire from Dropped Propane Tank Date of Email report: Tue 26/11/2013 Report Detail:
Incredible surveillance video captures the moment a forklift truck with a man behind the wheel is engulfed in flames. Officials say the 62-year-old man was transporting machinery to Burton Industries in Mentor, Ohio on Thursday morning. Witnesses say after the driver made a right-hand turn into the driveway of the company, a propane tank fell off the vehicle and then the forklift ran right over the tank. Within an instant there was a fiery explosion. As the driver ran away from the scene, white smoke could be seen coming from his body. 'It does not appear that the tanks were secured or tightened. It didn’t look like they were, and it looked as if maybe one bounced off when he came into the driveway. He drove over it and it blew up.' Mr Burton said he ran outside with a fire extinguisher and saw the driver was already safe. 'When I saw it was a propane tank underneath the forks, I just took off running,' he said. The driver who is in his 60s, was treated for burns to his face and hands, then released a few hours later. 'He jumps right out of the tow motor and walks away with a little smoke,' said Richard Wilson, who runs a tool a business across the street. Mentor fire and police, along with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, are investigating. Additional Documentation: The video for this report has been removed.
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