Explosion at Brewers’ Spring Camp Injures 9

A gas explosion at the Milwaukee Brewers new training camp today injured nine people, including General Manager Harry Dalton, Manager George Bamberger and six other Brewers, fire officials said.

“It knocked me off of my bench,” said pitcher Ray Burris, who was sitting in a locker room about 10 yards away from a hallway where the explosion originated.

Officials said they believed that the explosion was sparked by a natural gas leak at the new baseball stadium.

9 Victims Hospitalized

A spokesman for the Brewers said all nine victims were taken to the hospital and two--coaches Herm Starrette and Tony Muser--were flown there by helicopter.

A Fire Department spokeswoman said the most seriously injured victim suffered burns over 40% of his body. Another had first- and second-degree burns over 15% to 30% of his body. Authorities said Muser and a plumber, Jeff Sutton, were the most seriously injured.

Bamberger was burned on his hands and arms when he went to help Starrette, whose clothing was on fire. Dalton was burned when he went to the aid of an unidentified construction worker.

Also hospitalized were coaches Larry Haney and Andy Etchebarren, pitcher Bill Wegman and catcher Bill Schroeder. They were taken by ambulance to Chandler Community Hospital, officials said.

The explosion occurred near the coaches’ offices at Compadre Stadium, which is in the last stages of construction before hosting the Milwaukee Brewers for spring training.

Structural Damage

The explosion caused structural damage to the roof in the clubhouse area, the Fire Department spokeswoman said.

Officials said a gas line feeding a water heater that was being worked on by the plumber apparently ruptured and exploded, blowing a hole in the ceiling.

Numerous other players were in the locker room at the time of the explosion.