A Mesa neighborhood was rocked by an unexpected explosion yesterday evening, as a man suffered severe burns from what turned out to be a cooking mishap involving heated oil, said the Mesa police. The explosion occurred near the intersection of Greenfield Road and University Drive, around 7:30 p.m., leading one neighbor to believe a bomb had detonated inside the residence; however, once authorities arrived it became clear that the blast was due to a domestic accident, not an external threat.
Reports from FOX 10 Phoenix reveal that the explosive force was strong enough to shatter a window in the home, and the man sustained severe burns on his torso, prompting a response from the Mesa Fire Department who worked to contain the aftermath of the explosion and the ensuing fire. Neighbors had initially called the police to report the explosion, police and firefighters responded quickly to the scene, and during the chaos, it was discovered that a child was also present in the home during the incident.
The victim was swiftly transported to the Maricopa County Hospital burn unit where his current condition remains unknown; remarkably, the child was found unharmed, according to a statement from the Mesa police. Detailed in a piece by 12 News, an early investigation by the police pointed to the oil on the stove as the source of the explosion, describing the incident as the oil "exploded" while being heated by the injured man.
