Calif. Man Working with Chemicals Burned Lighting Cigarette
Feb. 04--ORINDA -- An Orinda resident who lit a cigarette while working with an unknown chemical outside his home Sunday afternoon was badly burned, police said.
Police and firefighters were called at 1:36 p.m. to 12 Orchard Road for a report that a man had been burned with some type of chemical, said Sgt. Howard Shiells.
A preliminary investigation revealed the man was using a substance believed to be paint thinner, lit the cigarette, then sustained serious burns to his hands while working outside of the home, Shiells said.
The man was transported to a local hospital to be treated for moderate-to-major injuries, police said.
The incident remained under investigation Sunday.
Contact Natalie Neysa Alund at 510-293-2469. Follow her at Twitter.com/nataliealund.
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