Open Gas Valve Blamed for Blast at Palm Springs Resort

Photo courtesy of the Vista Grande Resort

By City News Service

An explosion at a Palm Springs resort that injured three people, one of them critically, occurred after a natural gas valve was left open and the gas somehow ignited, fire officials said today.

But important questions remain unanswered about what caused the June 8 blast at the Vista Grande Resort, located in the 500 block of Warm Sands Drive.

“Fire investigators were unable to determine if the open gas valve was intentional or accidental,” Palm Springs Deputy Fire Chief Ron Beverly said. “Also undetermined was the ignition source or the act that brought the ignition source in contact with the natural gas vapors.”

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The occupant of the room where the explosion occurred remains hospitalized in extremely critical condition at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton, with burns over 95 percent of his body, Beverly said. As a result, investigators have not been able to interview the patient, whose name was withheld.

The explosion and fire was reported about 5 p.m. Arriving units found light smoke coming from the roof, and quickly identified the room where the blast occurred and rescued the critically injured victim.

Fire officials found no code violations that might have contributed to the blast, and no criminal charges were immediately pending, Beverly said.