Fire At Los Gatos, California Auto Mall Injures Two

Jan. 7, 2005
Eyewitnesses said they heard a loud explosion then saw a fire erupt at the Office Depot which is in the auto mall complex.

A fire caused by a possible explosion has injured at least two people this afternoon in Los Gatos, according to Santa Clara County dispatchers.

Ambulances have been sent to the Los Gatos Auto Mall for two burn victims.

Eyewitnesses said they heard a loud explosion then saw a fire erupt at the Office Depot which is in the auto mall complex.

Bryan Matsumoto, owner of Ace Hardware, who works nearby said he heard a loud explosion about 3:45 p.m. He ran over to the Los Gatos Auto Mall, where he was told there was at least two injuries, and possibly, another person unaccounted for. He saw one man emerge with his clothes on fire, and another man's wife trying to find him. ``I just tried to get everyone out of there,'' he said. ``The gas was still on.''

Matsumoto said he believed some plumbers were doing work in the area and didn't know if that was related to the fire.

``I heard sirens galore,'' said Annie Martin of Critters Corner, a store several blocks from the explosion.

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