DONNA DE LA CRUZ
Associated Press Writer
The city's fire commissioner speculated Monday that the men would have survived if the building had been equipped with a sprinkler system. The store's owner wasn't required to have sprinklers because the store was located in a 128-year-old building erected before city laws required such systems.
``Even if the law doesn't require you to have a sprinkler, if you put a sprinkler in your basement, this doesn't happen,'' Fire Commissioner Thomas Von Essen said.
He added that propane cylinders were stored illegally in the basement, although it was unknown whether the cylinders figured in the explosion. Paint thinners and lacquers were also stored in the basement, but by law propane was to be stored aboveground.
``We have no reason to believe at this point that (propane) was the cause of the explosion or that it exacerbated the explosion,'' Van Essen said. Any of the materials ``could cause an explosion like this.''
A message left with Randall Gordon, the store's owner, was not returned.
The blast injured about 50 rescue workers and two civilians. A fourth firefighter, Joseph Vosilla, was critically injured.
Firefighters battled the blaze for more than 12 hours. It was reported at about 2:20 p.m. Sunday and declared under control at 2:40 a.m. Monday.
Commissioner: Sprinklers May Have Prevented Tragedy