A fighter jet ground flash fire severely burned two Marines working on aircraft maintenance Sunday at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar in San Diego, Calif.
The Marines, members of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 112, were conducting maintenance on an F/A-18 fighter jet at 10:18 p.m. when a ground flash fire occurred, burning the two badly, NBC 7 San Diego reports.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, a ground flash fire occurs when there is fuel in the air that makes contact with an ignition source, generating high temperatures. While the fires only usually last for several seconds, even a few seconds are enough sufficient to cause serious damage.
The two Marines were rushed to UC San Diego Medical Center for treatment.
“Both Marines are currently being treated for severe burns at the UC-San Diego Regional Burn Center. Our thoughts and prayers are with them,” MCAS Miramar said in a statement.
Marine Maj. Kurt Stahl, spokesman for 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, told USNI News that one of the Marines is in critical condition.
Stahl also told NBC 7 San Diego that the cause of the ground flash fire, which is technically distinct from an explosion, is under investigation.
There were no other injuries in the incident, though the F/A-18 was damaged in the blast.
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