Four employees — including a mother and son — suffered severe burn injuries after a food truck recently exploded in Washington state.
According to a report from KPTV, the sudden explosion occurred inside a food truck owned by 4 Caminos Authentic Mexican Food in the downtown area of Vancouver, Wash., on Sunday, Dec. 15.
Isabel Castellón, the owner of the 4 Caminos Authentic Mexican and its food truck, was among the four victims injured during the incident. The others involved included her partner, her son and one of her employees.
The four victims suffered severe burn injuries and are receiving treatment at Legacy Emanuel Hospital, according to KPTV.
Officials have not released a cause for the blast yet, but family members speculated to the outlet that the explosion was a propane-related accident.
The Vancouver Fire Department in Clark County did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on Sunday, Dec. 22.
4 Caminos sign.
KPTV FOX 12/YouTube
Several area business owners who witnessed or felt the explosion spoke to KPTV about the blast.
“The building kind of shook and I was like, ‘Oh my goodness, what just happened?’ ” business owner Reshell Douglas told the outlet. “It was a terrible accident.”
Christian Barrios, owner of La Casita Art Gallery & Cultural Center, added, “They were inside when it happened, everyone was inside. We tried to help as much as we could, but we couldn’t do much.”
Barrios told KPTV that he saw the blast and got a look at those injured at the scene, including the owner’s son. “He was screaming and in pain too. Maybe because he was in shock at everything happening so fast,” Barrios said. “It was really painful to see them in that situation.”
Friends and family have started a fundraiser via GoFundMe to help Castellón and the other people injured in the “devastating explosion.”
The GoFundMe page, which has raised more than $12,000 as of Dec. 22, noted that Castellón is recognized as a valued member of the community and that the explosion occurred as she was preparing for a community event.
“A devastating explosion occurred inside the 4 Caminos food truck while its owner, Isabel, her partner, and an employee were setting up to serve at a posada (community event) at La Casita,” the GoFundMe page read. “All three, and Isabel’s son, were inside the truck when the explosion happened, leaving them with serious burn injuries.”
Barrios, who placed a painting of Castellón in his art gallery and cultural center, also told KPTV that he is praying for her swift recovery.
“She’s always here, she’s willing to help, she’s willing to help people,” said Barrios, whose cultural center, per KPTV, is hosting “an event on First Friday with the proceeds going to the family’s recovery needs.”
