Neighbors woke up to sirens after a shocking accident inside a Portsmouth home left one man injured and a house full of smoke. At first, no one knew what had caused the chaos — but responders soon discovered it was a fiery mix of everyday habits and dangerous equipment.
According to emergency crews, a man was rushed for medical treatment after a cigarette sparked an oxygen-fueled explosion. The blast scorched his face and filled the house with thick smoke.
🚨 What Went Down
🕔 Early morning call brought EMS screaming into a Portsmouth neighborhood.
🚬 The cause? A lit cigarette… and an oxygen tank.
🔥 Result: Flash fire, smoke pouring through the house, man burned on the face.
🚑 Paramedics treated the victim and ensured no one else was harmed.
⚠️ Why This Is So Dangerous
Oxygen is a life-saver for many who need it, but it can turn deadly in seconds when mixed with fire:
🔥 Highly flammable atmosphere — Oxygen doesn’t burn itself, but it makes ANY flame burn hotter and faster.
🚬 Cigarettes are a major risk — Even one puff near a tank or tubing can ignite clothing, furniture, or skin.
🧯 Flash fires happen instantly — You don’t get a warning, you just get burned.
🛡️ Oxygen Safety 101
If you or someone you know uses oxygen at home, here are a few must-follow rules:
🚫 Never smoke while using oxygen — not even “just one puff.”
💡 Stay 10 feet away from open flames like candles, gas stoves, or lighters.
🛏️ Keep tanks upright and away from bedding or curtains.
🚒 Have working smoke detectors and fire extinguishers in the home.
👀 Post “No Smoking – Oxygen in Use” signs as a reminder for visitors.
🔎 The Takeaway
What looked like just another cigarette turned into an explosion that left a man burned and a neighborhood shaken. EMS got him out in time — but this fiery reminder shows why smoking and oxygen don’t mix, ever.
👉 Oxygen saves lives, but only if it’s respected. Treat it with caution, or the next “boom” could be yours.