Man Escapes Death When Explosion Launches Gas Canister Across San Leandro Street Into Car
SAN LEANDRO (KCBS) -- A man was injured in San Leandro Friday morning after a gas canister, propelled by an explosion from company across the street, crashed through his car in the parking lot, according to an employee and fire official.
Paul Tavares, a project manager at Bayfab Metals at 800 Doolittle Drive said Jose Castillo, an employee from San Francisco, was sitting in his brand new black Honda Civic about 7:15 a.m. when there was an explosion.
"It almost killed one of my guys. [It] missed him by inches," said Tavares. "It sounded like a truck went through the building."
Tavares said the Castillo was transported to a hospital by an ambulance for shoulder injury.
"The thing just missed his head by inches," Tavares said. "It completely destroyed his car. I don't think he's even had it week."
Alameda County Fire spokeswoman Aisha Knowles said were investigating the cause but it appeared that the gas, possibly propane, canister--about three times the size of barbecue propane tank--was punctured from across the street, about 100 yards away, from Alco Metal Recycling. There were many large metal objects being moved there by tractors at the time.
"It shook my desk to the point I thought it was an explosion or an airplane or something," said Scott Furlough, who works nearby.
