Man Suffers Burns in Santa Barbara Gas Line Fire

A construction worker suffered significant burns to his arms with possible facial burns in what Santa Barbara City Fire are calling a flash fire that sparked from a gas line just after 1:30 p.m. Monday.

The incident happened on the 4000 block of Via Diego. Santa Barbara Police are assisting with traffic control.

The Santa Barbara City Fire Department stated in their official Facebook page that a construction worker hit the main gas line with “a hand held electric digging device with a metal spade and hit a natural gas line which created an explosion and fire.”

Witnesses reported seeing flames up to 20 feet high.

A nearby Santa Barbara City Parks and Recreation employee was able to put out the fire with a fire extinguisher.

An evacuation was issued a nearby residence where the incident took place out of a safety concern from a current gas leak.

Police told our newsroom that the man transported himself to Cottage Hospital.

Facebook Post: Santa Barbara City Fire on Gas Line Fire