EL PASO, Texas — A devastating explosion at a Sun Metro maintenance facility on February 11 has left the community reeling, following the loss of two of its fleet maintenance technicians. An employee at the scene, who has chosen to remain anonymous, shared a firsthand account of the terrifying moment, including exclusive footage of the catastrophe’s aftermath.
The employee recounted that the explosion occurred while adjustments were being made on a bus. Suddenly, a loud sound that resembled a bus toppling from its lift was heard, followed almost immediately by a powerful blast wave that sent workers scrambling. “I was flung several feet off my ladder; when I gathered myself, the shop was engulfed in flames,” the employee described.
Immediately following the explosion, chaos ensued as the facility’s roof collapsed and a vehicle caught fire and flipped over. The surrounding walls and other buses present during the incident were scorched, with ash blanketing the area. Despite the immediate shock, the employee and others quickly checked for injuries and called emergency services.
The tragic event claimed the lives of Ruben Ibarra and German Garcia, technicians who were working at the time of the blast. Their loss has profoundly affected their colleagues, some of whom have sought transfers or left the job, unable to return to the same work environment. “It’s shaken everyone here; no one expects to face such danger when they come to work,” another employee shared.
The El Paso Fire Department, along with city officials, initiated a thorough investigation to determine the exact cause of the explosion. Preliminary findings have pointed to an accident involving one of the buses, but further details remain pending as the investigation continues.
This explosion raises significant concerns about workplace safety measures at such facilities. Discussions among local government and safety regulators are expected to address these issues, ensuring stricter compliance and oversight to prevent such tragedies in the future.