Weekend Explosion Victim Dies

A victim from a natural gas explosion in Tulsa over the weekend has died.   Authorities say Thomas Bowen died Wednesday morning.

Thomas Bowen and another person were taken to a Tulsa hospital following the explosion Saturday at the Comanche Park Apartments in the 1400 block of East 36th Street North.

Fire officials say Bowen was admitted to the hospital with second degree burns over 60 % of his body.

Tulsa Fire Captain Larry Bowles tells The News On 6 Bowen was trapped beneath a wall section.  He says investigators have found no traceble evidence linking the blast to a water heater or furnace.  They believe the source of the explosion was likely something Bowen was doing.  Fire Captain Larry Bowles says Bowen was a smoker, but there is no evidence the blast was linked to smoking.

At least four of the apartments at the complex were destroyed in the explosion.

Related story:

5/31/2008  Natural Gas Explosion At Apartment Complex