1 dead, 1 injured in Oxnard vehicle fire as authorities continue to investigate
One person was seriously injured and a second person died after suffering severe injuries in a vehicle fire early Sunday morning at a gas station in Oxnard, authorities said.
Oxnard fire and police responded around 1 a.m. to the 100 block of North Oxnard Boulevard for a blaze in a pick-up truck. The fire was quickly upgraded after reports of victims suffering burns.
An ambulance arrived first and began treating the victims, both men, according to Oxnard Battalion Chief Aaron Baker. Fire crews put out the fire and assisted with patient care, he said.
One person was initially listed in critical condition after suffering second- and third-degree burns to a large portion of his body, including his face, Baker said. Thomas Solis, 37, of Oxnard, later died from his injuries, according to Oxnard Police Sgt. Edgar Fernandez.
The second person, a 55-year-old Oxnard resident, suffered burns to his forearms and was said to be in stable condition.
Both were initially transported by ambulance to local hospitals and later to burn centers for specialized treatment, fire officials said.
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The cause of the fire has yet to be determined but police and fire are investigating.
Baker said they hope to obtain video from the gas station. Investigators also have the clothing of the worst harmed burn victim to check for chemicals that may have ignited the blaze.
"We really don't (know)," Baker said about how the fire started. "It's still under investigation."
The battalion chief also said a fire that causes burns to such a large percentage of the body is "not ordinary."
"It's being treated as a possible crime scene until proven otherwise," Baker said.
Fire engines remained at the gas station for about 90 minutes, and the fire investigator, who arrived at 12:50 a.m., departed shortly before 4:30 a.m., according to Oxnard fire.
Police detectives are asking anyone who may have video recorded or photographed all or part of the incident, to upload your media directly to the investigators via the following link: https://oxnardpd.evidence.com/axon/citizen/public/105northoxnardblvd.
All submissions are immediately logged into the Oxnard Police Department’s digital evidence system. Submissions can be anonymous during the upload process.
Anyone who may have heard or seen anything is asked to contact Detective Charles Buttell at 805-385-7688.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: 1 dead, 1 injured in Oxnard vehicle fire as investigation continue
