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Homecoming Bonfire Goes Drastically Wrong In Fort Collins

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (CBS4) - Poudre Fire Authority says it's reviewing its bonfire policies after a homecoming bonfire ended with an explosion at Fossil Ridge High School on Wednesday. One firefighter suffered a minor facial burn, authorities said.

bonfire 1
(credit: Hannah Crawford)

Investigators say there was a problem with the fuel mixture which caused the explosion when a firefighter ignited the bonfire.

"Poudre Fire Authority firefighters use a mixture of diesel and gasoline when starting bonfires. Warmer evening temperatures caused a higher-than-usual amount of gasoline in the mixture to vaporize, and the vapor cloud ignited, a PFA evaluation following the bonfire found," the agency said on Facebook.

bonfire 2
(credit: Hannah Crawford)

Fire investigators say they reviewed and approved a bonfire permit turned in by Fossil Ridge High School.

The firefighter is expected to be okay.

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