butane blow torch nearly blew up!

During the winter I had to use a butane type blow torch [it uses butane aerosols, like what you put in a camping cooker] to heat up a suspension bolt.

during its use, I turned down the flame to switch it off, but it kept on burning and all of a sudden the flame started to come out between the can and the flame attachment, I panicked and threw it to the ground, I just didnt have time to twist the flame attachment off the can, and I didnt have gloves on.

stressing even more I was now aware that there was a huge possibility of the can exploding, it was in between my car, and my shed and fence [shed and fence wooden]

I decided to stand on the can with one foot and kick the attachment off with the other, it was a frantic and scary few seconds but I managed it and the flame stopped.


I was shaking afterwards, I just thought the can was gonna blow and there would be fire everywhere.


after a time reflecting, I think what might have happened is that the low ambient temp had caused the valve to stick open, I think the gas going through is really cold as well, don't know why the flame started to come out between them.

I lived, no inferno, don't think I will be using anything like that again.


I didnt have a fire extinguisher to hand, but I have learned from that and now I do have one.

Just be careful.