Workers Burned, Injured in Residential Complex Electrical Room Explosion

One man suffered burns over 40 percent of his body and another worker was less critically injured Tuesday in an explosion in an electrical room of a large mixed-use condominium complex, authorities said.

Firefighters were sent to 1725 Ocean Ave. at 11:48 a.m. on the report of an electrical explosion in the basement, said Santa Monica Fire Department Deputy Chief Tom Clemo.

The most severely injured worker was taken to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Westwood, and the other patient was taken to UCLA Medical Center in Santa Monica, Clemo said. Their names were not released.

Firefighters ventilated the structure and prevented anyone from entering until Southern California Edison crews arrived. The cause of the explosion and injuries were under investigation by SCE and the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health, better known as Cal/OSHA.

— City News Service