Vehicle explosion at road construction area in Gardnerville injures four workers
UPDATE 3PM: A vehicle explosion at a road construction area late Tuesday morning in Gardnerville Ranchos sent four road workers to the hospital, one with serious injuries who was flown by Care Flight, according to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office.
Several construction employees were working on repairing the asphalt roadway on West Cottage Loop when at 11:38 a.m. the vehicle explosion happened in the construction area injuring the four. The three other employees injured were taken to local hospitals. The cause of the explosion is unknown at this time.
West Cottage Loop will be closed for an unknown period of time while East Fork Fire, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, and OSHA conduct an investigation into the cause of the accident. East Fork Fire and OSHA are the primary agencies leading the investigation, according to DCSO. No information is being released at this time on the degree of injury or cause of the explosion.
***
East Fork Fire and Carson City Fire Department responded late Tuesday morning to a vehicle crash on Highway 395 near Jacks Valley Road. And, in a separate incident, emergency crews were called to the Gardnerville Ranchos area for a report of a vehicle explosion and fire.
The first incident at Highway 395 near Jacks Valley Road was reported at 11:20 a.m. East Fork Fire responded and called Carson City Fire Department for mutual aid. No word yet on injuries. Traffic in the northbound lane is delayed. Motorists are advised to find alternative routes.
Meanwhile, emergency crews were called about 10 minutes later to a report of a vehicle explosion and fire in the 1200 block of Cottage Loop near Highway 88 in the Gardnerville Ranchos area. There are reports of people injured and Care Flight ordered. The Record-Courier reports four people were burned, one critically.
Carson City Fire Department was also called for mutual aid.
We will update as more information becomes available.