UI staff member injured in car explosion

University of Iowa police dispatch received a report of a possible car break-in this morning - but once on scene discovered evidence of an explosion.

UI Department of Public Safety Director Chuck Green said Dale Stille filled eight balloons, four with hydrogen and four with a hydrogen/oxygen mix, then placed them in a university vehicle.  Officers said when Stille opened the car's  side door, an explosion resulted.

The actual explosion was not reported to police, but the car damage resulting from the blow was.  Officers said they believe the explosion occurred at approximately 7:30 a.m., this morning.

The reported explosion damaged the vehicle and caused possible first and second degree burns to Stille. Police said Stille was originally taken to Mercy Hospital by a private vehicle then transferred to the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics Burn Unit.

Stille is listed as a UI Department of Physics and Astronomy  instructional designer in UI directory. UI police said they interviewed Stille at the hospital for more information on the incident.

Witnesses reported to police that Stille intended to transport the balloons to an off campus location for an educational event where they would have caused the balloons to explode.

Campus police said Bruce McAvory, the UI fire safety coordinator, the Iowa City Fire Department and investigators with the State Fire Marshal all responded.