Coleville, Mono County. 1 dead, 2 injured in gas explosion at Marine base

 Mountain Warfare Training Centre at Bridgeport reported an propane gas explosion and ensuing fire struck a housing complex for Marines in Coleville, northern California, leaving one woman dead and two people severely injured. Thirty-eight families had to be evacuated as the blast and fire ripped through the Lincoln Military Housing Neighborhood about 8:45 p.m., damaging seven homes.

• Blast occurred about 8.45pm Friday at the Lincoln Military Housing Neighbourhood, part of the Mountain Warfare Training Centre at Bridgeport, close to the California-Nevada border.
• The 111-unit housing complex is in Coleville, a Mono County community about 30 miles from the Bridgeport training facility.
• A man and a woman were airlifted to local hospitals with third-degree burns.
• The explosion appeared to have been caused by a leak in a propane tank

Family members told the Eastern Iowa News website the woman who died in the blast and ensuing fire was 31-year-old Lori Hardin, a mother-of-two from Hudson, Iowa, who lived near the airbase with her husband Greg - a 15-year veteran with the Marines.

"She was a real caring person, and had that care and concern for others," said Kathy Harkema, a cousin of Hardin's mother.

"Obviously it's tragic when anyone loses their life, but especially a young mother who leaves behind two small children and her husband, it's just a real tragedy."

Thirty-eight families had to be evacuated from the 111-unit housing complex after the blast.

Naval Criminal Investigative Service agents, as well as Marine Corps fire investigators, are assisting local and state officials with the investigation.

According to the Times, Marines and sailors preparing to deploy to Afghanistan are sent for training at Bridgeport, located in Coleville, California, in Mono County.

More:  Los Angeles Times.

California Fire News 2011