Two men burned in flash fire caused by gasoline fumes

By Dave Toplikar

Sunday, July 31, 2011 | 7:52 p.m.

Two men were burned — one seriously — in a gasoline flash fire late Sunday afternoon while they were trying to refuel some power equipment near a water heater, according to Las Vegas Fire & Rescue.

One of the men received first- and second-degree burns on 30 percent of his body, with burns on both arms and one leg, and was transported to University Medical Center's burn unit, firefighters said.

The other man, who had a minor burn on his arm, was treated on the scene and released, firefighters said. Firefighters did not release the names of either man.

Firefighters said they were called at 5:41 p.m. to a one-story house at 1520 San Pedro Ave., near the intersection of Sahara Avenue and Maryland Parkway, after someone drove by the residence and thought the porch was on fire.

Firefighters said the blaze actually started under the carport. The two men were refueling "a piece of power equipment" in front of a natural gas water heater, which sits in a closet about four feet from where they were working, firefighters said.

The fumes from the gasoline were ignited by the pilot light from the water heater, causing "a fast and intense flash fire," firefighters said.

Besides burning the men, the fire caused about $5,000 in property damage around the water heater, firefighters said.

Fire investigators said they thought the fire was accidental.

Because the house is much older than many of the homes in the valley, the water heater sat directly on the floor, within reach of gasoline fume, firefighters said. Newer homes have the water heater on a stand mounted to the wall, which is off the floor, making it unlikely for gasoline fumes to reach the pilot light, firefighter said.

"When using gasoline, which is extremely flammable, the utmost safety precautions need to be taken," firefighters said. "Gasoline should not be dispensed within 50 feet of any type of an ignition source. Static electricity has also caused gasoline fumes to ignite."