On August 23, 2023, SDF-trained search team Eric Gray & Dee (Santa Barbara County Fire) responded to a building explosion in the Hancock Village condominium complex in Santa Maria, CA. The powerful blast completely destroyed one residence and critically injured the person inside, who remains hospitalized.
Three other people were injured, and 23 other homes were damaged, including eight deemed uninhabitable and red-tagged by the city. Investigators are still piecing together what caused the explosion but have determined it was ignited by natural gas.
Eric and Dee were called in to search the demolished and damaged structures after it was determined there was no threat to their safety. Dee quickly confirmed there were no victims left trapped in the rubble.
Watch part of their search here:
This was Eric and Dee’s third deployment together. They were previously deployed to a missing person search in Gaviota, CA, and a mudslide in San Bernardino, CA, in September 2022.
We are so proud of them both for being prepared to assist when communities need them!
IN THE NEWS:
From KEYT News Channel 3: https://keyt.com/news/santa-maria-north-county/2023/08/23/explosion-and-fire-destroy-hancock-village-home-in-santa-maria-injuring-three-people/
From Noozhawk: https://www.noozhawk.com/santa-maria-explosion-leaves-2-still-in-hospital-8-homes-uninhabitable/