MOLALLA -- A man on fire jumped into a burning truck at a Molalla propane plant to prevent the fire from spreading Friday morning, authorities said.

A propane truck was venting inside a propane plant garage when fire broke out inside the garage, caught the truck on fire and also ignited Robert Cox, who nevertheless got inside the truck and drove it out of the garage.

Raw video: Scene of damage

Five employees were inside the garage at the time. Authorities believe Cox may have saved their lives.

 Slideshow: Aerial photos of fire

The garage burned down.

CEO Robert Cox

Cox, who is CEO and president of IXL Propane Inc., was transported to the Legacy Emanuel Hospital. He was stable; his condition was not released. His injuries are considered non life-threatening.

The propane plant is located at 512 Industrial Way, just east of Highway 213.

In Tacoma, Charles "Chuck" McDonald died from injuries after the IXL Propane tanker truck he was driving exploded at a foundry in October.

Officials were investigating that accident