2 Killed, 3 Injured in Mammoth Lakes Condo Blast
An explosion and fire at a condominium complex in this Eastern Sierra resort town killed two people and injured three Friday, authorities said.
A propane gas tank exploded at the Tamarack Condominiums complex, rocking city offices a block and a half away and knocking out telephone and electricity service, said city spokesman Jeff Irons.
The cause of the blast was unknown, although some type of work was being done on the tank when it exploded, Irons said.
Firefighters recovered two bodies from the rubble at about 6 p.m., he said. The identities of the victims were not immediately available.
Three people were taken to Mammoth Hospital across the street from the complex and were in stable condition, said hospital spokeswoman Carla Kish. The nature of their injuries was unknown.
In addition, one firefighter suffered smoke inhalation, another a minor back injury and two more hypothermia from fighting the fire in freezing cold, Irons said.
The firefighters were treated at the hospital and released.
It was snowing heavily at the time of the blast, Trout said.
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