At about 6:30 p.m., firefighters were dispatched to an apartment in the 200 block of Tono Way, located in an unincorporated area in between Pleasant Hill and Walnut Creek, Fire Marshal Robert Marshall said.
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Upon arrival, firefighters found an apartment unit on fire. Due to reports of a person inside, fire crews went inside and found a man.
They were able to bring him out and medical crews attempted CPR on him, according to Marshall.
Inside the apartment, firefighters found a propane tank with a hole in it, indicating the tank had exploded. Additionally, the apartment's windows had been blown out.
Firefighters were eventually able to extinguish the fire.
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The victim suffered critical injuries and was taken to a hospital where died a short while later, Marshall said.
While the cause of the fatal blaze is under investigation, Marshall said, "we know that the propane tank played a role."
The unit where the explosion occurred was the only unit affected by the fire. No other injuries were reported.
Marshall said he believes the fire caused about $75,000 in damages the apartment.