FREAK EXPLOSION
Trenton man burned to death in car explosion
TRENTON » Investigators are looking into the suspicious death of a man who was burned alive in the back of his SUV Monday afternoon in the city’s East Ward.
The Mercer County Homicide Task Force and Trenton Police are figuring out exactly how the man died, but his fiancée told The Trentonian in an interview Tuesday his death was a “freak accident.”
The woman, who didn’t want her name used, said her partner of more than 14 years had two gas canisters in the back of his black Ford Explorer — one which had some gasoline in it — when it apparently exploded in the backseat. She didn’t know what caused the gas cans to explode.
Trenton Police spokesman Lt. Stephen Varn said the man was burned beyond recognition. Officials believed they know the identity of the man, who was described as being in his early 50s. His name is being withheld by authorities until they make a “positive identification,” Varn said.
“At this point, his death is being considered suspicious in nature due to the circumstances,” Varn said.
Firefighters responded to the 400 block of South Olden Avenue around 3 p.m. and extinguished the flames that had engulfed the man’s SUV.
The Middlesex County coroner performed an autopsy Tuesday but was unable to determine the cause and manner of death which remain pending further investigation. There was no word on toxicology reports.
The man’s fiancée was standing outside of the stoop of her home with friends as she recalled her partner as a hard-working longtime cook at the Broad Street Diner. They had no immediate plans to throw a wedding bash. “That wasn’t a hot topic,” the woman said. She said she heard but didn’t witness the explosion.
“You couldn’t miss it,” she recalled of the loud boom that shook the neighborhood.
Moments before the afternoon explosion, she said her fiancé, who she wouldn’t name, went inside to let her know he made her coffee. That was one of the last things he said to her.
She was told the cops discovered her fiancé in the back seat of the SUV, the doors apparently locked. Cops wouldn’t confirm that detail or any others, citing the ongoing probe.
The woman said her fiancé used gas cans to store fuel to fill up his lawnmower, so he could keep the grass in their front yard manicured.
Apparently the man was unable to escape the explosion, and his fiancée said cops are still figuring out whether he was rendered unconscious or died immediately from the blast.
She said, as far as she knew, her fiancée didn’t have any mortal enemies, and she isn’t suspicious he may have been targeted. She said she’s torn up about his loss and hadn’t slept or eaten since the tragic accident.
Anyone with information is asked to call MCHTF Sergeant Gary Wasko at 609-9896317 or Detective Michael Castaldo at 609989-6194.