House Fire Linked to Propane Tank Leak

A leaky propane tank sparked an explosion early Thursday that caused more than $100,000 in damage to a family’s home and garage in east Ventura, fire officials said.

Shortly before 1 a.m., propane fumes came in contact with a water heater’s pilot light, causing an explosion inside a garage in the 4600 block of Varsity Street, Ventura Fire Capt. David Frost said.

“The one thing that was spectacular about it was the explosion. This was not a slow-burning fire,” Frost said.

The fire quickly spread from the garage to the attic of the house and the front door, forcing homeowner Mark Beck, his wife and their child to escape out a window, Frost said.

People in a home next door also evacuated when flames reached the side of their house and heat shattered a window, Frost said.

The fire destroyed the Becks’ garage and their two vehicles. Structural damage to the garage and attic was estimated at $75,000, and damage to the Becks’ property was about $30,000, fire officials said. Damage to the house next door was $3,000.

Frost said the Becks are now staying with relatives in Ventura. Frost said Beck had recently finished extensive remodeling on his home.

On Wednesday afternoon, before the fire, Beck had filled three propane tanks and stored them in his garage, said Frost, adding that the tanks were the type used with an outdoor barbecue grill. All three tanks were found empty after the fire, officials said.