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1 victim of farm explosion dies, 5 others remain in burn centers
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More from Breaking NewsOne of the six people injured in an explosion at a farm near Santa Paula this weekend has died, and five more remain in burn centers today, authorities said.
The explosion occurred about 3:40 p.m. Sunday.
Margarito Gonzales, 22, Fillmore, was using a torch to cut a 55-gallon drum at San Cristobal Distributing at 20991 South Mountain Road when a petroleum product in the drum ignited, causing it to explode, said Capt. Ross Bonfiglio of the Ventura County Sheriff's Department.
Gonzales and five people standing nearby were injured.
All six were transported to local hospitals, two by helicopter.
Gonzales died about 7:30 a.m. today at Los Angeles County USC Medical Center, said Adelaida De La Cerda, a hospital spokeswoman.
Sergio Penton, 22, of Fillmore, remained in critical condition at the hospital with burns over 35 percent of his body, De La Cerda said.
The four other people injured in the blast were being treated at the Sherman Oaks Hospital’s Grossman Burn Center today, said Debbie Groveman, a spokeswoman for the burn center.
Luis Gonzales, 28, of Fillmore, Elizar Salazar, 24, of Fillmore and Daniel Calderon, 32, were in serious but stable condition today, Groveman said.
Jasmine Salazar, 3, of Fillmore, was listed in good condition.
All are expected to undergo surgery.
At least five of the people injured in the explosion live at the same Fillmore address, Bonfiglio said.
The California Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the accident.
Posted by mIssSIdekIck on June 23, 2008 at 3:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
WOW! THIS IS SO TRAGIC, ALL THESE PEOPLE WERE YOUNG ESPECIALLY D FATAL VICTUM ONLY 22. THE SURVIVORS WILL LITERALLY BE SCARED FOR LIFE. MY PRAYERS ARE WITH ALL THE VICTUMS!
Posted by toyrunner on June 23, 2008 at 6:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
They may be scared for life and most certainly will be scarred as well.
My prayers to all.
Posted by CatInAHat on June 23, 2008 at 8:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Let me get this straight, this person was using a cutting torch on a closed used 55-gallon drum? What was he thinking? This is a Darwin award!
Posted by keepin_it_real on June 23, 2008 at 8:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
First of all, my thoughts and prayers go out to all the families and friends of everyone involved.
I also don't understand why anyone would be using a torch to open the container with petroleum.
I would like more details on this one. Terrible accident...
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