Smoking is dangerous to your health in more ways than you think.
On Thursday night, a van exploded in the parking lot of a Van Nuys supermarket after a man tried to light smoke inside, authorities said. Also inside: canisters of butane, a highly flammable and explosive substance used as fuel for camping stoves, torches and lighters.
The man suffered burns but survived, authorities said.
Six firefighters and an ambulance were called to a parking lot in the 7200 block of Van Nuys Boulevard around 10:28 p.m., where they found the remains of a destroyed vehicle, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. They also found a man with burns, who was hospitalized in moderate condition, according to LAFD.
The man, whose name was not released, told first responders he was trying to light a cigarette when the car exploded, according to CBS News.
The scene was turned over to the Los Angeles Police Department because there was no active fire, according to the LAFD.
