LA MESA : Electrical Mishap Injures 3 Workers

Three engineers trying to restore electrical power to the Grossmont Hospital parking structure suffered burns Monday when an electrical panel shorted, officials said.

Two of the men were listed in fair condition at UCSD Medical Center.

John Jardell, 41, suffered first-degree burns on his face and neck and second-degree burns on his left hand and wrist, medical center spokeswoman Laura Humphrey said. Robert Mehrling, 61, suffered second-degree burns to his right hand, forearm and left fingers.

Bill Keeton, an engineering supervisor, was treated for minor flash burns at Grossmont Hospital and released, hospital officials said.

The three men were injured about 1:30 p.m. as they were working on an electrical panel in a patio area between the parking structure and hospital building. Power had gone out in the parking structure about an hour earlier.

There was a short in the panel, giving the men flash burns, but there was no fire, hospital spokeswoman Karen Hamilton said.

Electrical power remained out later Monday in the parking structure in front of the La Mesa hospital, she said. Only the first two floors of the 450-space structure were being used, and officials were trying to get a backup generator, she said.