89-year-old woman suffers major burns in Salinas house fire

An elderly woman was injured after multiple oxygen tanks exploded in a Salinas house fire Thursday.

It started at a home on River Road and Enos around 11 a.m. An 89-year-old woman suffered major burns during the explosion and was taken to a bay area burn center.

“A neighbor is being credited with rescuing the woman from the burning home and bringing her safely across the street shortly before fire personnel arrived. The woman’s medical alert service had telephoned the neighbor who was listed on her emergency contact list. When the neighbor checked on the elderly woman, smoke was seen coming from the house with the elderly woman still inside. The neighbor was not injured,” said Monterey County Regional Fire.

Firefighters were kept away from the home when an additional oxygen tank exploded in the house, sending debris out to the street. Several more portable oxygen cylinders were stored in the home, so it was not safe to enter.

Firefighters requested a water tender because of challenges with a private water system, but crews were still able to contain the fire to the one house. The fire was under control within 90 minutes.

A total of four fire engines responded, including one engine from Salinas Fire. The homes interior was completely destroyed.

Fire investigators have not determined the cause of the fire, including whether the medical oxygen tanks were ignited causing the initial flames or another fire started in the home.