Man 'Huffing' Propane Starts Fire at Cassville Road Home in Cartersville

A man "huffing" propane caused a fire and apparent serious injury to himself Sunday night at a home on Cassville Road in Cartersville.

Deputies blocked the roadway about 9:30 p.m. as Bartow County Fire Department crews battled the "fully-involved" blaze at 1436 Cassville Road, according to the Bartow County Sheriff's Office incident report, above.

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Firefighters doused the fire, which fire officials ruled suspicious in nature, based on a witness' account.

The witness told authorities the man inside the single-family home, "James" said he was "huffing" propane and passed out, leaving the valve on the propane bottle open. He woke up and wanted a cigarette, then lit a cigarette and caused the fire to start, according to the report. It's unclear if the incident involved an explosion.

The witness told police he ran up the hill after seeing the fire, kicked open the front door of the home and pulled James to safety, adding James was badly burned on the front of his body. 

Authorities identified the injured man as James Larry Jordan, 36, who lived in the home, according to the police report. The degree of damage to the home is unclear.

Bartow's fire marshall was called to the scene to investigate and about midnight took control the propane bottle used to ignite the blaze. A deputy had secured it as evidence when fire crews arrived.

It's unclear if Jordan will be charged in connection with the blaze.