I think science would state that the gas can probably didn't have enough oxygen in it's headspace to allow explosive combustion. Therefore the likelyhood of a serious injury would be pretty small. Only after the gasoline exited the spout, and mixed with oxygen from the atmosphere, would it ignite.
I know this after trying to create a pop can bomb in my youth. After filling a pop can with gas, and lighting with some safety fuse a friend had, the pop can spectacularly did not much at all. Basically it had a very small flame at the mouth.
Firecrackers tied to the outside provided a much better result!
I know this after trying to create a pop can bomb in my youth. After filling a pop can with gas, and lighting with some safety fuse a friend had, the pop can spectacularly did not much at all. Basically it had a very small flame at the mouth.
Firecrackers tied to the outside provided a much better result!