Tank Used as Footrest Linked to Flash Fire

A snack bar cashier using a propane tank as a footrest may have inadvertently triggered a flash fire that seriously burned three people Sunday, including two teenagers.

Los Angeles County sheriff’s officials initially believed the blaze was ignited by burners when a worker knocked over a chair that ruptured a gas line inside a food preparation area at the William S. Hart Pony Baseball Field.

Capt. Steve Valenzuela of the Los Angeles County Fire Department said Monday that investigators were focusing on whether a cashier accidentally bumped a shut-off valve with her feet, causing a propane leak that ignited.

“It appears at this time that the cause of the fire was accidental and that it started under the cashier’s counter, where spare propane tanks were being stored,” Valenzuela said.

It appeared no county fire code laws were violated, he added.

Five people--including two boys ages 10 and 12--were burned in the fire that broke out about 5:30 p.m. in the snack area between four baseball diamonds used for youth league and tournament play.

The boys were treated and later released. More seriously injured were Gloria Grant, 46, of Valencia; Allison Haynes, 14, of Saugus; and Kurtis Anaya, 13, of Valencia, authorities said.

Grant, who was rushed to Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital, was later airlifted to Torrance Memorial Hospital suffering from smoke inhalation and second-degree burns covering more than 60% of her body. She was listed in serious condition Monday night.

The condition of the critically injured teens was upgraded to serious Monday but they still faced painful surgeries to heal damage inflicted by intense heat and flames, which left them with second- and third-degree burns to their arms, legs, backs and faces.

Larry Weinberg, a spokesman for the Grossman Burn Center at Sherman Oaks Hospital and Health Center, said Allison had a good prognosis, despite burns on 43% of her body.

Kurtis, who was also taken to Torrance Memorial Hospital, remained there with smoke inhalation and second-degree burns on 36% of his body.

There were conflicting opinions Monday about who ultimately is responsible for operations at the baseball field. Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation spokeswoman Sheila Ortega said Hart Field is not under county jurisdiction and she believed it was privately run. But Jennifer Weston, a field deputy to Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich, said the facility is run by the county.

Jurisdiction is not the issue, she said, safety is.

“Currently the Los Angeles County Fire Department is working with the volunteers who run the concession to make it safe,” Weston said. “Ultimately it’s up to the Fire Department to ensure public safety [in this case].”

Up to 500 fires or explosions are caused each year by improper use of gas grills, resulting in about 20 injuries, said Ken Giles, a spokesman for the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission.

Barbecue industry officials said those numbers are low considering the estimated 2.9-million cookouts held each year. But they warned consumers must take precautions.