PORTLAND, Tenn. (WKRN) — A Portland man was able to avoid serious injuries after propane tanks exploded inside his van earlier this month.
The incident happened just after 2 p.m. on Jan. 4 along Hardy Street. Jackey Hudson, 54, told News 2 he was inside his 1997 GMC Safari minivan parked next to his friend’s home listening to the radio and trying to keep warm.
He said he had a small, portable heater in the van attached to one of two 30-gallon propane tanks, which were also in the van.
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According Hudson, he heard a hissing sound, saw a flash fire and the van quickly began to burn.
The 54-year-old said he had a garden hose and was attempting to extinguish the blaze when the first Portland police officer arrived.
Officer Brandon Kaylor’s bodycam video detailed how close the 54-year-old came to being seriously hurt.
As seen on video, Hudson crouched behind an HVAC unit with a garden hose. No more than a few feet away, the van was completely engulfed, shooting flames into the air.
“What were you thinking in that moment?” asked News 2’s Andy Cordan.
“I was trying to put it out but flames shot up all around me, and I tried to turn the propane off at the time and it was too quick for me and I skedaddled,” said Hudson. “I was listening to the radio and I hooked it up to get warm a little bit, and I was like what is that sound? ‘Ssssssss,” and I went ‘Oh no,’ and went back there and touched that heater and flames went “woosh!”
The officer yelled at Hudson to run for safety multiple times on the bodycam video. Within seconds, there is a fireball as the first tank explodes.
As the fire rages, people exit their homes and gather in the street. Due to concern about a pet and a desire to move a car in a driveway, some residents were seen trying to move closer to the home.
However, officers with the Portland Police Department are heard repeatedly commanding citizens to stay clear of the burning van.
Approximately 90 seconds after the first explosion, the second tank explodes. Hudson reportedly sustained minor burns and refused transport to a medical facility.
Meanwhile, his van burned to a crisp, including the camper behind the van. Officials said the home had minor damage and thanks to quick response from the Portland Fire Department, the house was saved and no lives were lost.
“I think that cop may have saved your life,” News 2’s Andy Cordan told Hudson.
“Well, yeah, I was out there, like I said, he told me to get back, I was right there at the corner,” he replied.
Hudson told News 2 he will get to celebrate another birthday on Wednesday, Jan. 15, adding that his biggest takeaway from the incident is that he’s still breathing and will get the chance to celebrate his 55th birthday.
According to him, police and all the first responders are heroes.
The Portland Fire Department said officials are still investigating the incident, but as of publication, the fire is deemed accidental.
