SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - A propane explosion in a Yellowknife camper left one man injured badly enough to require a medivac to Edmonton.

The explosion, which caused a fire resulting in $3,500 worth in damages, happened on June 12 in a Lanky Court camper.

A propane tank exploded in a camper on June 12 at a Lanky Court residence. One man was burned and required a medevac to Edmonton. - photo courtesy of Brian Pearce

Deputy fire chief Darcy Hernblad said a loud bang was heard by individuals in the area at the time when the fire started, around 7 p.m.

According to Hernblad an engine with a six-person crew responded to the call as well as a medic.

When fire officials arrived at the scene they found a fire in the camper and a man suffering burns who had been in the camper when the propane tank exploded.

The fire was quickly extinguished and the man treated for burns at the scene and in the medivac to Edmonton. Hernblad could not say how severe the burns were.

"The individual was in the camper working at the time when the explosion happened," he said.

"We did find during our investigation, the knobs of the stove were in the 'on' position."

Hernblad said propane fires are not uncommon, but infrequent.

"If people treat propane properly and are careful with it, everything should be fine," he said.