Video Shows Leftovers of Toyota Truck After Massive Explosion

Car explosions are an extremely rare occurrence, but unfortunately they do happen. One California man is lucky to be alive after his truck exploded while sitting in a parking lot. 

According to CBS News, a man in Van Nuys, CA tried lighting up a cigarette in his Toyota 4Runner on May 23 when things quickly took a turn. He reportedly had propane canisters inside the SUV, which authorities say he was living in. That led to an explosion that left the vehicle a mangled heap of metal and personal belongings. 

The incident happened around 10:30 p.m. local time, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. The man was parked at a supermarket when it happened. Pieces of his car went flying several yards from where he was, and one even got stuck in nearby tree. Firefighters and police rushed to the scene as a crowd gathered, per KTTV. 

Miraculously, the man only suffered minor injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital. LAPD investigators believe that it was a propane explosion as the result of trying to light a cigarette in the car. 

Ken Smith, a man who lives around the corner from the supermarket, recounted to CBS News what he experienced, saying the explosion was "like an earthquake rattling the windows."

"But it was gone as soon as it started," he said. He saw his neighbors standing outside and similarly looking for the origin of the loud sound. Police closed the parking lot once they arrived. 

It probably goes without saying, but if you're in the presence of anything flammable, it's probably best to wait until you're far away to use a lighter.