Lauderhill

Man Severely Injured in Explosion at Lauderhill Scrap Yard

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A man was rushed to the hospital after he was severely injured in an explosion at a scrap yard in Lauderhill Monday morning.

Lauderhill Police officials confirmed the explosion was reported at a scrap yard on Northwest 31st Avenue just before 10:30 a.m.

The victim, described as a middle-aged man, suffered an amputation of one arm and a partial amputation of one of his legs, and was taken to Broward Health Medical Center in serious condition, fire rescue officials said.

"He was incoherent and in shock from the incident, he wasn’t able to provide specific details on what transpired," Assistant Fire Chief Jeff Levy said. "The first arriving agent was an EMS supervisor who was able to apply two tourniquets very quickly, which probably is the reason why that person was able to make it to surgery and still be alive at this point."

The cause of the explosion was under investigation, but officials said the man had brought an oxygen tank to the scrap yard.

"He was trying to take the brass head off the tank and as soon as he hit it, it blew," witness Marlo Clark said.

Officials said oxygen tanks are not supposed to be brought to scrap yards.

No other information was immediately known.

Check back with NBC 6 for updates.

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