The explosion, which occurred at approximately 5:30 AM on 13/7 in Totowa, New Jersey, destroyed the vehicle and scattered debris across the road. An adjacent fence also sustained damage.

The 28-year-old driver managed to exit the vehicle independently and was then transported to a hospital for examination. Their current medical condition remains undisclosed.

"A resident entered their car, turned the ignition, and the vehicle exploded," Mayor John Coiro stated.

"All the windows in our house facing the explosion were blown out. Doors were blown off, and locks were shattered," recounted Sheldon Blaine, who resides in the immediate vicinity of the blast. Fortunately, his family was unharmed.

The Audi exploded upon startup. *Photo: News 12*

The car was carrying an acetylene tank. *Photo: Sheldon Blaine*

The car was destroyed after the explosion. Several nearby homes were also affected. *Photo: ABC7*

Mayor Coiro confirmed that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the bomb squad concluded the explosion was not bomb-related. Initial findings suggest that a gas tank located in the vehicle's trunk might have been the cause.

The driver is a plumber and had an acetylene tank in the trunk. "Based on preliminary findings, we are not yet certain if that was the cause of the explosion," Coiro added. Acetylene is commonly used for welding and cutting.

"I wondered how that man managed to escape the car and survive," a nearby resident mused.

A similar incident occurred in Queens in 2024, involving a parked car that exploded, reportedly due to compressed gas tanks stored inside. The vehicle's owner indicated it was used for transporting tools and equipment for his family's plumbing repair business.

My Anh (via CBS News)