Teen Dies After Gas Explosion

January 15, 2009

An Escambia County, Ala., teenager has died after a gas explosion at outside his home.

Authorities say Christopher Smith, 16, died Wednesday from severe burns suffered about 7:20 Tuesday night when a gasoline poured on a fire in a 55-gallon drum exploded. Reports say the fire was burning in the drum at Smith’s residence on Creekside Road near the Escambia-Baldwin County line. The home is located on a dirt road off of James Road, north of Highway 31. between Perdido and Nokomis. The home is about two miles north of Escambia County, Fla.

Smith and friend were standing around the fire in the drum when one of them apparently poured gasoline on the open flames, causing the fuel to explode. Officials say Smith suffered burns on as much as 85 percent of his body.

The Nokomis and Perdido volunteer fire departments responded to the the home. Smith was taken by helicopter to the University of South Alabama Medical Center where he died about 1 p.m. Wednesday.

Comments

12 Responses to “Teen Dies After Gas Explosion”

  1. Shelly Hunt Maxwell on January 27th, 2009 12:56 pm

    Ashleigh and family- I am so sorry for your loss. Words cannot express my sympathy. I’m here for you!!! Love ya, Shelly

  2. Tony & Conny and Bert on January 16th, 2009 7:04 am

    Our hearts and prayers are with you Brian and Cheryl and kids. Call Us if you need us, We will have you in our hearts at this time of sorrow. Take it one day at a time, and cherish the memories that we all have of Smitty. He was a good kid and will be missed dearly by all of Us.
    Tony, Conny and Bert.

  3. Sylvia Godwin on January 15th, 2009 9:53 pm

    This is such a tragedy. My heart goes out to this family. My prayers are with all of you

  4. Priscila Cox and family on January 15th, 2009 5:49 pm

    Christopher, you will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of your family. We love you!

  5. Delane Garrett on January 15th, 2009 1:17 pm

    HAIL MARY FULL OF GRACE THE LORD IS WITH THEE. BLESSED ART THOU AMONG WOME N AND BLESSED ARE TH E FRUIT OF THY WOMB JESUS. HOLY MARY MOTHER OF GOD BLESS US NOW AND AT THE HOUR OF OUR DEATH. AMEN…..AND WE ALL SAY AMEN!!!!!!!!!

  6. Heather Johnson on January 15th, 2009 12:47 pm

    We love ya’ll so much and our thoughts & prayers are with ya’ll during this tragic time.
    Love,
    Heather, Rod, & Kids

  7. Chad & Kelly Lambeth on January 15th, 2009 11:28 am

    Nothing we can say will take the hurt away, just know we are here for you all. Cheryl stay strong and take things one second, one minute, one hour and one day at a time. Only time and your faith will heel the hurt. We love yall so much and our thoughts and prayers will be with you every second of this day and many more to come.
    Love
    Chad, Kelly, and Coen

  8. Amanda on January 15th, 2009 10:37 am

    Christopher , we love you and you are really going to be missed especially on the ball field (smitty) lol. Cheryl and Brian, I’m here for ya if ya need anything, ya are in my prayers and thoughts, I love ya tremendously.

  9. Jessica & Jeffery on January 15th, 2009 10:27 am

    Christopher you are truely loved & will be missed terribly. To the family we love ya’ll and are here for you! We love ya’ll!

  10. Marty Green ( Blaze's Mom) on January 15th, 2009 10:06 am

    Your in our thoughts and prayers. I know there are no words to console you at this time, but your heart will heal with time and prayer. God Bless your family.

  11. Elizabeth on January 15th, 2009 9:19 am

    Praying for this family

  12. Kim on January 15th, 2009 8:45 am

    My heart goes out to the family. That is so tragic.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News