Person pulled from van after it exploded in Castle Rock

Authorities say a person suspected of using a propane stove to cook inside a van was injured after the vehicle exploded on Wednesday night in Castle Rock.

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Cowlitz County Fire District 6, located in the city, reports crews were dispatched at 9:15 p.m. to Shintaffer Street and Leaming Avenue, near the dike path along the Cowlitz River and Cascade Select Market.

The victim was pulled from the van by bystanders, the fire department reports, and suffered burns.

Crews didn't see flames when they arrived at the scene, but could see obvious damage from an explosion, according to the notice.

Crews transported the victim to Longview's PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center. The department could not provide the victim's gender to protect patient privacy.

Neighbor Corine Roberts said the explosion was so loud, her mom screamed. Roberts suspected a vehicle had hit her house.

"I felt it through my whole body," she said.

Roberts had noticed the van parked in the area for weeks, she added, and suspected someone lived in it.

No other injuries were reported.

Shintaffer & North West Leaming Avenue

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