House Explodes, Man Catches Fire

TYLER — Three persons have been injured in a Tyler explosion and fire. Shortly after 11:45 yesterday morning, a house exploded across the street from Bishop T.K. Gorman school, in the 1400 block of East South East Loop 323. According to the Tyler Fire Department, a man was said to be on fire and running down the street.

One person was transported to a local hospital with burns. He was later transferred to a Dallas Hospital and is listed in critical condition. Witnesses reported that several citizens stopped to render aid. Two were also injured and transported to area hospitals with non-life threatening injuries.

Investigators believe a worker was renovating the structure when the incident occurred. It looks like the victim was using solvents to refinish the floor in the structure. According to fire officials, vapors ignited, causing the explosion and resulting fire. The actual ignition source has not been determined.