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San Diego

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A San Diego man who used a highly flammable liquid to clean his stove was listed in critical but stable condition Monday after the liquid ignited, causing burns to his face, arms and left leg, authorities said.

Fire Capt. Al Macdonald said the accident occurred shortly before 1 p.m. as Steve Smith was using the flammable liquid at his apartment in the 3700 block of 4th Avenue.

The pilot light ignited the acetone causing an explosion. Smith suffered first- and second-degree burns, and the apartment sustained $15,000 in damages, Macdonald said.

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Smith, 33, is the burn ward at UC San Diego Medical Center.

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