Roofer injured in explosion that levels Des Moines house

DES MOINES, Wash. -- A worker roofing a house with a blow torch set off an explosion Friday, leveling the structure and leaving him with second- and third-degree burns, South King Fire & Rescue spokesman Vic Pennington said.

The incident occurred at about 7 p.m. at 2029 S. 232nd St. in Des Moines.



A man believed to be in his 40s was roofing with a torch and set off an explosion, Pennington said.  It wasn't immediately clear what was ignited.

But the blast collapsed the house and knocked him off the roof.

The  worker suffered second- and third-degree burns on his torso and was taken to the hospital, Pennington said. He was listed in stable condition Friday night.

The homeowners were not inside at the time.

Some debris hit a neighbor's house. There is no structural damage to the house that was hit by debris, Pennington said.