Crime & Safety
Propane Leak to Blame for Gold Rush Kettle Korn Blaze
Benicia Fire reports accidental propane leak to blame for fire that burned Gold Rush Kettle Korn this morning; one employee burned.
A fire damaged the Gold Rush Kettle Korn business in Benicia early Wednesday morning, a fire chief said.
The blaze was reported at 5:20 a.m. at the business, located at 4690 East Second St., Benicia fire Acting Division Chief KC Smith said.
Firefighters arrived to find a fire burning in a processing area in the middle of the facility. The flames were being held in check by an automatic fire protection system, Smith said.
Eight firefighters extinguished the fire by 6 a.m. using a hose line, Smith said. "There was minimum fire damage but extensive water damage," Smith said.
Benicia fire Capt. Jed Matcham said propane is used in the cooking of the kettle corn, and that it appears a leak in a propane line caused the blaze.
Fewer than a dozen employees were working when the fire started, and one suffered a burn to his arm and was taken to a hospital, Smith said.
The fire is considered accidental but remains under investigation, Smith said.
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