Crime & Safety

Coroner Identifies SCE Worker Killed In Electrical Accident

The coroner reports Jose Raul Ros was the victim of an "electrical explosion and fire."

The Southern California Edison worker killed Thursday in Menifee has been identified.

Winchester resident Jose Raul Ros, 38, died as the result of an explosion and fire in an underground electrical vault located at 29541 Murrieta Road in Menifee, according to the Riverside County Coroner's Office. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 8:03 a.m. Thursday following the accident that occurred just minutes earlier and left three other SCE employees injured.

The coroner reports Ros was the victim of an "electrical explosion and fire."

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Ros, a distribution lineman, is survived by his wife and two young daughters. He was an employee at the utility for 11 years, according to an SCE statement.

“We are deeply saddened by today’s tragic event and we extend our heartfelt condolences to Mr. Ros’ family,” said Ron Litzinger, president of SCE. “We are in close contact with the injured employees and counseling is being offered to those affected by this unfortunate accident.” 

Details about the cause of the accident are still pending investigation, according to Raymond Hicks, local public affairs manager for SCE.

"We are still investigating," he said.

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A call to the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health/Department of Industrial Relations has not been immediately returned for this story.

Hicks described the underground electrical vault as no bigger than 14' x 14' with a cement top and manhole in the center. He said Ros and another SCE employee were in the vault during the incident. Two SCE workers outside the vault attempted to rescue Ros and the other worker, Hicks confirmed.

They were working on an infrastructure improvement project near SCE's Newcomb station, according to SCE spokesman David Song.

"The accident is not related toSong said.

The three survivors all suffered minor injuries due to smoke inhalation and were transported to local hospitals but have since been released, Hicks said late Thursday afternoon.

Hicks said the underground electrical vault provides power to the nearby Eastern Municipal Water District desalination plant, which was without electricity Thursday due to the incident. Hicks estimated voltage feeding into the vault as being around 12,000v.

The identities of the surviving SCE employees have not been released.


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