MEC&F Expert Engineers : Carpet installing worker critically injured after gas leak, explosion at Winter Park, Colorado home

Friday, September 2, 2016

Carpet installing worker critically injured after gas leak, explosion at Winter Park, Colorado home





One person was injured after a gas leak and explosion in Winter Park on Thursday.

According to the Grand County sheriff, the people living at the home on Fir Drive reported a gas leak to Xcel, and a short time later there was an explosion.

Police say there are still unsure on what caused the explosion.

Sheriff Dan Mayer told 9News the person who was injured was in serious to critical condition. They are being flown to University Hospital.

A Xcel spokesperson said all employees with their company is fine. Xcel crews were on scene at the time of the explosion doing a routine inspection when it happened. As of Thursday night, the main gas line and power has been shut off to the area.

Police say they will return to the scene of the explosion on Friday.




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Carpet installing worker critically injured after gas leak, explosion at Winter Park home
 Updated at 05:37am, September 2, 2016



WINTER PARK, Colo. -- A man installing carpet was airlifted to a hospital after a gas leak and explosion at a home in Winter Park on Thursday, the Fraser Winter Park Police Department said.

The 56-year-old man suffered critical injuries and was flown to the Burn Center at University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora. He suffered upper-body burns and other injuries, police said. He is expected to survive.

The explosion happened about 3:15 on Fir Drive, near the Winter Park Resort. A few neighboring homes had to be evacuated, police said.

Investigators said three people were installing new carpet in the home. When one of the workers plugged in a carpet iron, the explosion occurred, police said.

The three workers were thrown off their feet, including the man who was critically injured. The other two workers were treated at the scene.

Xcel Energy workers were in the vicinity at the time of the explosion, police said. The workers were inspecting service lines at the time, an Xcel Energy spokesman said.

Police said no gas readings were found in the home earlier in the day and the Xcel crew was investigating potentially higher readings across the street.

The home suffered extensive damage and was ruled uninhabitable.