Looking back: Thermal wear saves Adelanto gas station operator from explosion fire
On a chilly Thanksgiving morning, a gas station operator survived a major explosion that ripped through the property in Adelanto.
On Thanksgiving Day 1973, when the average price of gas hovered near 40 cents per gallon, operator George Fatino arrived at the Union 76 station at the corner of Highway 395 and Bartlett Avenue.
About two hours before daybreak, Fatino’s attempt at lighting the station’s gas heater caused an explosion that turned him into a “ball of fire,” he told the Daily Press. As fire engulfed the station, Fatino ripped off his jacket and covered his face with it as he ran through the circling flames, he said.
Adelanto Police Chief Billie G. Pearcy told the Daily Press that when he arrived, he found Fatino in a corner near the grease rack.
Pearcy took Fatino to Victor Valley Hospital in Victorville.
Fatino suffered from burns on both hands and minor facial burns.
Pearcy added that Fatino’s pants caught fire during the incident and that his thermal underwear was probably what saved him from further injury or possibly death.
The Daily Press headline for Fatino's story read "Thermal Wear Saves Gas Station Operator."
In a call to the Daily Press, Fatino expressed his gratitude for surviving the incident.
Thankful for gas
In June 1973, Fatino was one of several gas station operators who shared their thoughts on surviving the gas crisis and gas pinch.
All over America, the crisis caused gas stations to impose rationing, customers to wait in long lines, and people to lock their gasoline caps and pumps to prevent having their gas stolen.
“I’ve experienced no problems so far. Union has been very good to me, although I did cut out the graveyard (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) shift. But I’ve wanted to do that for a long time,” Fatino said.
Some operators predicted gas prices would soon spike to 60 cents per gallon.
Nationally, gas prices rose about 43%, going from about 38 cents per gallon in Oct. 1973 to nearly 55 cents per gallon in June 1974. California drivers saw prices rise to almost $1.
Thankful for traffic control
In July 1973, the Daily Press ran a photo of a smiling Fatino at the Adelanto intersection, where he shared his satisfaction after the California Department of Transportation installed yellow, two-way blinkers.
Fatino told the Daily Press that the intersection was the scene of 16 traffic collisions since he arrived in Adelanto in March 1972.
“It’s a wonderful thing,” Fatino said. “Cars are slowing down, making it safer for little kids and old-timers.”
Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Operator thankful to survive Thanksgiving explosion at gas station
