A WORKMAN was badly burned in an explosion at a Huddersfield bungalow.
Kirklees Council Building Services worker Brian Steeples was fitting a shower base for Trevor Duchien, 84, at his home in Fernside Avenue, Almondbury, at 9.50am yesterday.
He was using a foam substance to secure the plastic base when a suspected electrical fault caused a spark.
The foam, which includes highly flammable propane gas, exploded.
Mr Steeples suffered severe burns to both arms, which he had used to shield his face.
The bathroom caught fire and Mr Steeples ran from the house. He then realised Mr Duchien was still inside, so returned to the bungalow. The pensioner suffered minor burns to his hair and face as he escaped the blaze.
Both men were taken to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.
Sub-Officer Lee Benson, of Huddersfield fire station, said: "This was quite a nasty incident. It must have been quite a large explosion because of the gases that have ignited.
"When we got there the ambulance had already arrived and the men were being seen to. The injuries were quite serious.
"Propane gas is used to expel the foam. It is this that will have caused the explosion.
"The fire was not huge, but the bathroom is badly damaged and some of the other rooms in the house have smoke damage.
"Fire investigators are still trying to pinpoint exactly what the cause was. But we suspect it was some kind of electrical fault."
A Kirklees spokesman said: "A council agency employee was injured yesterday morning after an accidental ignition. The tenant was also taken to hospital, suffering from smoke inhalation and shock. The fire service is still investigating the cause."
