A dead 62-foot whale spooked examiners when it made bubbling noises — a warning it could explode

In high enough concentrations, and when mixed with oxygen in the air, the gas can cause whales to explode, either spontaneously as pressure increases, or when the remains are cut open;

Mixed with oxygen? Is this implying that the methane is combusting/deflagrating? Is this actually happening?
It seems like the whale is simply bursting like a balloon from the pressure buildup, and oxygen mixture has nothing to do with it.

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