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Exploding gas tank rocks Playa del Carmen neighborhood sending 2 to hospital

Playa del Carmen, Q.R. — A man and a woman were left with serious injuries after at least one gas tank exploded inside a house.

Civil Protection of Solidaridad reported the explosion happened inside a house along 18th Street in the Ejido neighborhood Thursday morning. Emergency 911 received the call at 7:45 a.m. from area residents who heard the explosion.

The Civil Protection office says when they, along with police and Solidaridad firemen arrived on scene, they found a Z-Gas company truck parked outside the building loaded with tanks of varying sizes.

Inside the house, officials removed 11 other LP gas cylinders including six 20-kilo tanks, two 30-kilo tanks, two 10-kilo tanks and one 45-kilo tank. More than two dozen firemen attended the scene. The explosion is thought to have occurred by huachicoleros (a person who engages in the theft and illegal sale of fuel) from refilling the tanks.

The injured, 35-year-old Francisco R.H. from Veracruz and a woman, 30-year-old Sinai L.L. from Mexico City, were rushed to Playa del Carmen hospital with extensive burns.

Civil Protection and firemen continue to investigate the exact events that caused the explosion. The clandestine refill station has been shut by city officials.