Deputies: Man burned while siphoning gas with leaf blower

Officials said a Seminole man was seriously burned in an explosion while siphoning gas from a car with a leaf blower.

Pinellas County Sheriff's Spokesperson Tom Nestor said Joseph P. Williamson, 31, was working on the fuel lines of the 1997 Saturn belonging to his girlfriend, Sommer M. Brocuglio, 34, outside their home on 61st Avenue N when the gas ignited.

Investigators said Williamson found the gas lid open and became concerned the vehicle had been tampered with, and so he was trying to check the gas tank for sugar.

Witnesses said Williamson was trying to siphon gas with an electric leaf blower when a spark from the blower ignited the fire, the report said.

Williamson suffered serious burns to his arms and had to be taken to Tampa General Hospital.