Chief Garry Park car explosion kills Spokane man

A car explosion in Spokane’s Chief Garry Park neighborhood ultimately killed Matthew Woodford, 30. Emergency crews reached Sharp Avenue’s meeting point with Lee Street around 1 p.m. on Sept. 17. Woodford was discovered behind the wheel with critical injuries. He received emergency transport but later died. He had been alone in the vehicle.

Police believe the blast resulted from an accident involving a torch that fell behind a seat while its valve remained open. Investigators concluded that wiring below the seat began burning. Gas released within the enclosed cabin then mixed with oxygen in proportions capable of producing an explosion. Evidence included burned material beneath the passenger-side front seat and smoke throughout the interior.

Before the explosion, Woodford had hit a parked vehicle. He stopped, shared information with its owner and drove about half a block before pulling over at Sharp and Lee. Officers were not summoned for that collision, and officials do not know how much time passed afterward. The Spokane Fire Department said the collision was not responsible for the blast and is continuing its investigation. The county medical examiner has not finalized Woodford’s cause or manner of death.