Woman injured in natural gas explosion [Carlsbad Current-Argus, N.M.]

July 17--CARLSBAD -- A local resident was injured in a natural gas explosion Thursday night in the 200 block of East Church Street, Lt. Mo Pruitt of the Carlsbad Fire Department said.

Investigators think a woman, whose name was unavailable, was lighting a cigarette when a buildup of natural gas from a leak inside the home ignited, creating an explosion that blasted out a window of the home and pushed an outside patio table approximately 20 feet, Pruitt said.

"That showed us the force of the explosion," he said.

The woman was taken to Carlsbad Medical Center and may be flown to another hospital for further treatment.

Firefighters responded at 11:13 p.m. to find the flames had gone out as soon as they began, melting lampshades in all four corners of the room, but leaving framed photographs on the wall undamaged.

"It was just amazing," Pruitt said.

The cause of the gas leak is still under investigation.

North Main Street home damaged in fire

CARLSBAD -- Local residents are unharmed after an electrical fire sparked a blaze in their home.

The fire was reported at approximately 2:30 a.m. Thursday in the 700 block of North Main Street, said Berry Lucas, battalion chief for the Carlsbad Fire Department. The fire started in the bedroom of the sleeping resident, and she was awakened by the smoke and heat, he said.

"We were lucky that nobody was hurt," Lucas said.

The fire did kill a caged cockatiel named Birdie, who did not survive the smoke and

flames.

Resident Paul Carrasco said he was awakened by his 66-year-old mother. He said the fire started in her room next to her bed where she was awakened by the heat.

Lt. Duane Cunningham and firefighter Andres Ruiz were able to make entry and quickly extinguish the fire, saving the structure, Lucas said.

"The fire department got here pretty quick," Carrasco said. "They were very helpful."

The home sustained heavy smoke damage and the bedroom was charred by the flames. Carrasco said several family photos and important documents were lost.

The family has paid insurance on the home for 23 years until last month when their insurance was cancelled without notice due to a late payment, resident Frank Carrasco said.

The Current-Argus was unable to reach a representative of The Republic Insurance company Friday.

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