Update: Resident in Indio explosion dies, police officer still recovering
The resident of Tuesday’s Indio house fire passed away Wednesday morning.
The police officer injured in the incident is not being identified at this time, we do know they are an 8-year-veteran of the Indio Police Department. At the time of the accident, the officer was training a trainee.
Read: Police officer suffers burns in Indio house fire
The officer was transported from JFK Memorial Hospital to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center with 2nd-degree burns to the right arm. They have been released and are recovering at home, Indio Police Chief Mike Washburn told KESQ / CBS Local 2.
KESQ / CBS Local 2’s Joe Galli spoke with Chief Washburn Wednesday regarding the officers heroic actions and the officers training history. According to Washburn, the officer is a US Coast Guard veteran where he trained to fight fires.
“He actually felt the air shift and knew it was about to explode. So he turned and started to run away from the building right before it exploded,” Washburn said.
After being injured the officer continued to do his job.
“This had to be extremely painful with the burn to his arm, and he is still coordinating and giving direction to his trainee,” Washburn said.
The officer is recovering at home. The cause of the explosion is under investigation.
More: I-Team and Stands for You investigations
Find us on Facebook: KESQ News Channel 3 & CBS Local 2
Follow us on Twitter for breaking news updates: @KESQ & @Local2
We’re on Instagram! @KESQ_News_Channel_3 & @CBSLocal2
Noticias en español: Telemundo 15
