SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - Two Marines were severely burned in an explosion at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Sunday night.
Marine officials said the two Marines from Fort Worth, Texas-based Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 112 were in a hangar performing routine maintenance on an F/A-18 jet at about 10:20 p.m. when a ground flash fire ignited.
The injured Marines were taken to UC San Diego Regional Burn Center, and according to a USNI News report, one of the Marines is in critical condition. The condition of the other injured Marine remains unknown.
Marine officials are still investigating the cause of the fire.
A former military pilot told 10News fires like this are very rare during routine plane maintenance. However, when fuel, heat and air mix, that can contribute to a powerful fire like what happened Sunday night.
10News reporter Hannah Mullins said the fuel the Marines use is less volatile and that may have contributed to the victims' survival.
Tune in to 10News at 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. tonight for an update on the Marines.
