One hospitalized after explosion at KC Welding.
One employee was hospitalized in connection to a small explosion that occurred Wednesday morning at KC Welding, a business in the 1500 block of Dogwood Road.
The injured man was airlifted through REACH Air Medical Services to a Palm Springs area hospital as a precaution, said El Centro Fire Department Battalion Chief Cedric Ceseña.
A second individual who had sustained an undisclosed injury during the incident reportedly declined to be transported to a hospital, Ceseña said.
The explosion stemmed from work that was being done on a small fuel truck that was empty of fuel but apparently may have contained fuel vapors, Ceseña said. The explosion resulted in the truck being damaged as well as some damage to the facility, Ceseña said.
El Centro firefighters present near Dogwood Road and Danenberg roads had heard the explosion shortly after 10 a.m., saw the smoke, and were able to respond and provide medical assistance immediately, Ceseña said.
The first El Centro engine arrived on scene in less than a minute after it was reported and began gathering information.
Additional resources were then requested, including an engine and ladder truck from Imperial County Fire Department, explained an ECFD press release. Firefighters began to work diligently, evacuating the area and securing the vehicle involved.
Hose lines were deployed to cool the tanker and to prevent any further damage. Firefighters then made their way to the top of the tanker and used flammable liquids foam to suppress any vapors being released.
The incident lasted approximately 2 hours. The business property was located on county land, prompting the ECFD and the county Fire Department to establish a joint incident command post, stated the press release.