Explosion at Westminster apartment complex sends 3 people to hospital
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An SUV that crashed into a water heater closet resulted in an explosion at a Westminster apartment complex and sent three people to the hospital with minor injuries Saturday, Nov. 3, authorities said.
About 10:50 a.m., Orange County firefighters were dispatched to the 13800 block of La Pat Place in Westminster on reports of an explosion, said Capt. Larry Kurtz of the Orange County Fire Authority.
When firefighters arrived, they found a small SUV had run into the back of the apartment complex through a wall in a parking garage area, Kurtz said.
The vehicle struck a water heater closet, which resulted in a gas leak that caused the explosion, he said.
A fourth person who was evaluated by OCFA medics was released on scene, Kurtz said.
The damage was cosmetic and a building manager was on site. The owner of the complex was en route to the location, Kurtz said.
Firefighters evacuated the complex, but planned on allowing residents back into their homes early Saturday afternoon, Kurtz said.
What caused the vehicle to collide with the wall wasn’t immediately known.