2 Burned In Santa Monica Building Explosion
SANTA MONICA (AP) — Authorities say an explosion and fire in Santa Monica has burned two people, one of them critically.
Deputy Fire Chief Tom Clemo says two contractors were working on a five-story building on Ocean Avenue when the explosion occurred shortly before noon Tuesday.
One worker was hospitalized with burns over 40 percent of his body and another man was hospitalized with moderate burns.
The blast and fire were confined to the basement and were quickly contained.
Clemo says the building, which is not yet open, will have a mix of condominiums and businesses but no tenants were there at the time.
The blast apparently involved an electrical panel but the cause is under investigation.
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