Bethalto man burned after igniting oxygen tank with cigarette
Alton Fire Chief Rich Mersinger says a Bethalto man was burned on his face and heads when a cigarette he was smoking ignited his oxygen tank.
The (Alton) Telegraph reports the man, described only as in his mid-50s, was injured Wednesday.
Mersinger says the victim appeared to have suffered first- and second-degree burns.
The man was treated at the scene before being taken to an Alton hospital. His medical status is not immediately clear.
Mersinger considers the case a reminder that people should refrain from smoking when they're using oxygen or are indoors where it's in use. He says oxygen is a fire hazard.
Latest News
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8

City & county bomb & arson units to merge; announcement…
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department is expected to announce their Bomb and Arson Unit will merge with St. Louis County's Bomb and Arson Squad . The proposed merger is jus...

One person dead in Berkeley shooting
One person is dead and three others injured after a shooting in Berkeley yesterday on Tuesday. Police say it began about 2 p.m. as an argument between three people in a car and a m...

Cool Down St. Louis kicks off summer program
Local leaders have put out the call to those in need and to those who can help. Cool Down St. Louis and Ameren kicked off their annual summer program to keep elderly and disable...

JAMES HELPS HEAT STAVE OFF ELIMINATION IN GAME 6
MIAMI (AP) -- LeBron James led a title-saving charge, and now his crown will be on the line one more time in Game 7. James powered Miami to a frantic fourth-quarter rally and over...

SAMARDZIJA PITCHES CUBS PAST CARDINALS 4-2
ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Ryan Sweeney and Cody Ransom hit back-to-back homers in a four-run first inning and that was plenty for Jeff Samardzija, who pitched the Chicago Cubs over the St....

ALTIDORE SCORES, US BEATS HONDURAS 1-0
SANDY, Utah (AP) -- Jozy Altidore scored a goal in his fourth consecutive international match, enough for the United States to edge Honduras 1-0 in a World Cup qualifying game Tues...

Mother and son accused of selling stolen gopher feet
PRESTON, Minn. (AP) - A Minnesota mother and her 18-year-old son are accused of stealing nearly $5,000 in frozen gopher feet and selling them for a bounty. Thirty-seven-year...

18 mayors ban use of food stamps to buy sugary drinks
NEW YORK (AP) - The mayors of New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and 15 other cities are reviving a push against letting government food vouchers be used to buy soda and other sugary d...