Vehicle explodes on Northwest Side, injuring man and damaging nearby car

A man was hospitalized with burns Saturday afternoon after gasoline believed to have been stored near a lawnmower caught fire, causing a vehicle to explode on the Northwest Side.

Casualties and emergency response

The explosion happened shortly after noon along Wurzbach Road near Interstate 10.

Investigators said they believe gasoline and a lawnmower were in the back of the vehicle when a fire somehow started, triggering the explosion.

The blast also damaged another vehicle parked nearby and injured a man who was taken to the hospital with burns.

The extent of his injuries was not immediately known, although police indicated they were not considered life-threatening. No other injuries were reported.

Explosion under investigation

Investigators believe the explosion was accidental. The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation.