A man was critically injured Friday morning after an explosion and fire occurred while he was working at a gas station.
Emergency officials responded to Mahoney's Gas Station at 120 Plain St. in Lowell, Massachusetts, around 10:30 a.m.
Upon arrival, they found the victim suffering from serious burns to his head, face, arms, hands and legs.
According to witnesses, including a co-worker, the victim is employed by a contractor who was hired to do work on a pump located in an underground tank.
The gas to the pump had been shut off. The victim was working in the tank when the explosion occurred, engulfing him in flames, according to police.
The co-worker was able to assist him out of the tank.
The victim is currently at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.
Local
In-depth news coverage of the Greater Boston Area.
A preliminary investigation points to the possibility of residual fumes inside the tank and a spark from the cutting instrument causing ignition.
The victim's name is not being released at this time.
