Officials Reexamine Propane Fire’s Cause

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

Los Angeles County sheriff’s officials initially believed that 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 Baseball Complex in Santa Clarita.

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 that no county fire code laws were violated, he said.

Five people--including two boys aged 10 and 12--were burned in the fire that broke out about 5:30 p.m. in the snack area near 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 taken to Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital, was later airlifted to Torrance Memorial Hospital in critical condition with smoke inhalation and second-degree burns covering more than 60% of her body.

The critically injured teenagers were upgraded to serious condition Monday but still face painful surgeries to heal second- and third-degree burns on the arms, legs, back and face.

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

Anaya remained at Torrance Memorial Hospital 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 Department 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 was run by the county.

But jurisdiction is not the issue, Weston 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.”

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

Barbecue industry officials said those numbers are low, considering that there are about 2.9 million cookouts held each year. But they warned consumers to take precautions.

Donna Meyers, a spokeswoman for the Barbecue Industry Assn. based in Naperville, Ill., said proper storage and handling of propane tanks is important.

“You want one tank properly connected under your grill,” said Meyers.

“Aside from that, any additional tanks should be stored in a cool, shady place where there isn’t foot traffic or objects that may hit it.”