Gas Being Used as Solvent Ignites Fatal House Fire

A Santa Clarita man was killed Saturday in a house fire that was triggered by the explosion of gasoline that family members had been using as a cleaning solvent, authorities said.

John Warner was trapped in an upstairs bathroom when the explosion and fire occurred at the house in the 27000 block of Lost Springs Road, Los Angeles County Fire Capt. Ken Bayer said. Warner’s sister and his three children were able to escape the burning two-story tract home and were treated for smoke inhalation, Bayer said.

Firefighters responded to the blaze at 1:12 p.m. “The house was fully involved,” Bayer said. “Fire was coming out every window.”

He said family members and neighbors pleaded with firefighters to rescue Warner, but Bayer said, “There wasn’t anything we could do to save him.”

Gasoline was being used to dissolve glue and clean the floor while removing a rubber-backed carpet in the kitchen, Bayer said. He added that an appliance pilot light, possibly from a stove or wall heater, apparently ignited the fumes.

Bayer said gasoline should not be used indoors because its invisible vapors are highly explosive. “All it has to do is reach a pilot light, and it blows up,” he said.

The estimated damage in Saturday’s fire was $150,000 for the home, and $50,000 for its contents.

Warner’s age was not immediately available, and Bayer declined to release the names of the other family members. He said the American Red Cross was contacted to provide emergency food and housing to the family.