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New video released last week by the city of El Paso, Texas shows surveillance footage of a Feb. 11 explosion that killed two employees in the Sun Metro maintenance garage.
The video shows multiple views of a compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered bus sliding and falling off a scissor lift, followed by an explosion.
The El Paso Fire and Police departments, Texas Gas, El Paso Electric, Building Permitting & Inspections, Sun Metro Representatives, FBI, and ATF responded to the incident.
German Garcia and Ruben Ibarra died from burns sustained during the accident. Additionally, 11 fire-related injuries were reported.
The videos were released Oct. 22 as part of an open records request.
In a report from the El Paso Fire Marshal's Office, fire department investigators concluded bus 20602 unintentionally fell off the lift, classifying it as “unintentional” per NFPA 901.
One of the CNG tanks on the bus was punctured by a hydraulic lift control panel, causing an uncontrolled release of flammable gas. The resulting mechanical friction and/or electrical current ignited the gas as it mixed with air in the facility, triggering multiple explosions.
The incident caused a portion of the building’s wall and ceiling to collapse.
The report included an interview conducted by the El Paso Police Department.
Filiberto Martin Del Campo told police that before he left for his lunch break, he noticed bus 20602 was suspended on the lift with no air connected to it, and that he did not see any portable jack stands underneath.
The report stated Del Campo closed the air lines and then explained to the two mechanics working on the bus - who each had approximately one month of experience - that the bus can tilt and fall off the lift if proper procedures aren't followed. He told them, "Don't leave the bus like that."
The video shows the bus was suspended by a Stertil-Koni Ecolift ECO90 hydraulic lift. According to the company’s website, the Ecolift series is equipped with multiple safety features.
Ecolift is designed with a mechanical locking system independent of the hydraulic cylinder, which is active throughout the lifting range. When lowered into the locks, the vehicle is fully supported, with no pressure remaining in the hydraulic system.
The control system, with electronic synchronization and real-time feedback, ensures smooth and safe operation. The lifting scissors are fabricated from 2-inch thick, high-strength steel to provide stability and safety.
The ECO90 model can lift 40 tons and includes three scissors, enabling it to lift multiple-axle vehicles including articulated busses like the one involved in the Sun Metro incident.
Stertil-Koni accessories include axle stands compliant with the ASME portable automotive service equipment (PASE) 2019 standard.
Donald Halsing is the Founding Editorial Director of Work Safety 24/7. He was formerly the Associate Editor of Robotics 24/7.
Don's experience spans the supply chain, logistics, and construction industries, having worked in both warehouse operations and land surveying. He is also a professional wedding photographer with his fiancée Ashley.
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