A woman suffered burns Tuesday when a leaking portable gas tank caught fire inside a home in Colonia Miramar, a hillside neighborhood in eastern Tijuana. Red Cross paramedics treated the woman and transported her to a local hospital, where she was reported out of danger.
Arturo Sánchez, the shift commander for Tijuana’s fire department (Bomberos de Tijuana), said crews responded to an initial report of an explosion in Cañón Miramar. Upon arrival, firefighters determined the incident was not an explosion but a fire caused by a faulty valve on a portable gas tank.
Firefighters Removed Burning Tank to the Street
To control the blaze, firefighters carried the still-burning tank outside the home and into the street, where they were able to extinguish the valve fire safely. The quick removal prevented the fire from spreading to adjacent structures in the densely built canyon neighborhood.
Portable gas tanks, known locally as “tanques de gas” or “cilindros,” are a fixture of daily life in Tijuana. Most homes in the city rely on refillable LP gas cylinders rather than piped natural gas lines. The tanks are delivered by truck and connected to stoves, water heaters, and other appliances via rubber hoses and metal valves that can degrade over time.
Fire Officials Warn of a Daily Hazard
Sánchez said the Tijuana fire department responds to gas-related incidents multiple times per day across the city. He urged residents to inspect their gas tank valves, hoses, and connections regularly. Worn rubber hoses, corroded fittings, and improperly sealed valves are the most common causes of leaks that can ignite from a nearby pilot light or spark.
The risk is particularly acute in Tijuana’s hillside colonias like Cañón Miramar, where older or informally built homes may have gas installations that were never professionally inspected. Renters in these areas should check that tank connections are secure, that hoses show no cracking, and that valves close fully when turned off.
In April 2023, a far deadlier gas incident in Tijuana killed four people when a large natural gas storage tank exploded on the city’s east side, sending shrapnel 150 meters and injuring three others. That explosion involved a commercial storage facility, but it drew renewed attention to gas safety across the city.
The incident was first reported by Jornada BC.