SAN SABA, Texas — A motel room exploded in San Saba in the evening on Wednesday, Sept. 25, according to police.
That evening, just before 7:30 p.m., police say they were made aware of an incident in the 1000 block of North High Street. When they arrived, they found an explosion had occurred at a motel and a male victim that had burns covering over 70 percent of his body and a broken femur.
Police say the 35-year-old man that was injured has a history of mental illness and experienced a mental breakdown, attempting to harm himself by starting a fire in his motel room. He was taken to a medical center in Austin to be treated for his injuries but is now receiving treatment at Brooke Army Medical Center on Fort Sam Houston.
"We would like to thank the Killeen Hazmat Unit for their assistance in determining the cause of the explosion and their help in handling and disposing of any potentially hazardous materials resulting from this incident," said San Saba Police Chief John Bauer in a news release on Thursday. "Further, they confirmed that no chemicals were found in the victim's room and the damage was a result of a "flash-over" -- a near-simultaneous ignition of the combustible material in the room.
San Saba Police say they are continuing an investigation into the incident.