2 Critically Injured by Blast at Home
An explosion apparently caused by a gas leak destroyed a Pacific Beach apartment Saturday morning and critically injured two residents, a Fire Department spokesman said.
Firefighters responded to the two-story complex in the 900 block of Tourmaline Street shortly after 5 a.m. and found two residents lying in the front yard, Capt. Bob Landis said.
The victims, Larry Harlin, age not given, and Deborah Arnaudo, 24, were taken to UC San Diego Medical Center, Landis said. Harlin suffered burns over 85% of his body, and Arnaudo suffered burns over almost 45% of her body. Both were in critical condition Saturday afternoon, a hospital spokeswoman said.
Fire investigators suspect that the explosion, which blew out a first floor wall, occurred when natural gas leaking in a bedroom closet was ignited by an open flame.
The explosion caused $12,500 in damages, Landis said.
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