San Jacinto Blast Is Blamed on Natural Gas
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RIVERSIDE — Fire investigators said a buildup of natural gas caused the explosion and fireball that ripped through two businesses in downtown San Jacinto on Wednesday, critically burning one man but, amazingly, only slightly injuring two others.
The explosion devastated a building that housed the San Jacinto Chamber of Commerce and radio station KWRP-FM, toppled the front wall of the structure onto the street and shoved an interior wall four feet into an adjoining dry-cleaning business.
Radio disc jockey Michael Schwab suffered second- and third-degree burns over 48% of his body and was listed in critical condition Thursday in the burn unit of the San Bernardino County Medical Center.
Two other office workers were treated for minor burns, including a woman who said the fireball blew over her head and scorched her hair.
The blast caused an estimated $200,000 in damage before 60 firefighters stopped the blaze from spreading to adjoining buildings in the small commercial center.
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