Man And Woman Suffer Burns In Ventura Propane Tank Explosion

Sunday December 01, 2024

     Ventura County authorities say a man and woman were burned Sunday morning when a propane tank exploded at their homeless camp along the north bank of the Santa Clara River near Ventura Harbor.

     The explosion around 7:45 AM prompted a response from firefighters, medical personnel, and law enforcement to the unincorporated area south of Olivas Park Drive, east of Harbor Boulevard, west of the Olivas Park Golf Course, and on the north or Ventura side of the Santa Clara River.

     What the first responders found was a 52-year-old man and a 51-year-old woman suffering from second and third degrees burns.

     They were treated at the scene and then taken by ambulance to VCMC.

     Their current condition is unknown but initial reports indicated they were expected to survive.

     The authorities believe that the incident was unintended and happened when leaking fumes from the propane tank at their camp was ignited when the woman lit a cigarette.