Metro cop burned in Sandy Valley after aerosol cans ignited
The officer injured in Sandy Valley on Monday night was burned after aerosol cans ignited at the bottom of a burn barrel and blew up, according to Las Vegas police.
The officer, 46-year-old Jeffrey Snook, remains hospitalized at University Medical Center for his burns, police said Tuesday.
Snook and his partner had gone to the 2000 block of Woods Avenue just after 5 p.m. after a report of a burglary. The owners of the vacant home had found garbage inside the house and were burning it in a big barrel outside.
A large flame erupted from the drum, burning Snook on the hands, neck and face. Someone else there who was not an officer suffered minor injuries, but Metro did not say who it was.
Snook was flown via helicopter to UMC. His injuries do not appear to be life-threatening, police said.
The trash burning was not illegal, according to police, who are calling the incident a “tragic accident.”
Snook has been employed with the department since January 2000 and is assigned to the Community Policing Division in the Enterprise Area Command.
Contact reporter Colton Lochhead at clochhead@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-4638.
