A Newburgh, New York police officer suffered only minor injuries after an oxygen tank in his cruiser exploded Tuesday morning.
Officer Taso Karabelas was on patrol near the intersection of Gardnertown Road and Union Avenue when he saw smoke coming from his vehicle, according to The Times Herald-Record.
The officer reported that he believed his car was on fire and, as he opened the door, it exploded. The blast sent pieces of the patrol car close to 300 feet away.
"He was able to get out of the car and start crawling away," Town Supervisor Gil Piaquadio told the newspaper.
Karabelas was taken to the Newburgh campus of St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital for treatment for cuts and bruises.
After he was released, he was sent to Westchester Medical Center as a precaution and was later released.
"He might have a slight concussion, but other than that he's good," Piaquadio said.
It is not currently known what caused the oxygen tank to explode.
Orange County fire investigators, New York State Police and the FBI are all involved in the investigation.
