Aerosol Bug ‘Bombs’ Explode in Apartment

Aerosol bug spray ignited by a stove pilot light caused a minor explosion Saturday that blew out windows and a sliding glass door in a local apartment.

Fire Battalion Chief Tim Graber said no one was injured in the incident in the 1300 block of N. French St.

Graber said a woman living in the apartment uncorked seven canisters of the flea spray to rid the apartment of an infestation of cockroaches. The woman placed the canisters throughout the apartment before leaving. She told fire officials that she used five cans of the spray during a previous treatment but it had not been enough to kill the cockroaches.

It was the second such explosion caused by the “flea bombs” in the last three months in Santa Ana. Graber said no one was injured in the first explosion.

“We want people to know about the potential danger,” Graber said.

He said glass blown from the windows was scattered in the yard outside the apartment building to an area where children usually play. The explosion was not accompanied by fire.

There was no immediate damage estimate available.