Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Flash fire ignites after worker lights cigarette at construction site in Harris County, Texas

Published On: Jul 22 2015

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas - 
  Three workers were injured Wednesday morning when a flash fire sparked when one of them lit a cigarette at a construction site in northwest Harris County, authorities said.

It happened around 9 a.m. at an apartment complex under construction in the 17800 block of Mound Rd and Fry Road.

According to authorities, the construction workers were in an area heavy with gasoline fumes when one decided to smoke a cigarette.

“Three male construction workers were inside a metal storage container that was used for storing tools when one lit a cigarette inside which resulted in a flash fire from the gasoline vapors,” said Lt. Scott Schoonover, Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office.

The workers were transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital in the Texas Medical Center.  Their conditions were not known.

The Harris County Fire Marshal's Office is investigating.