Hyperbaric Chamber Explosion In Florida Kills Woman, Injures Boy

May 2, 2009 9:48 a.m. EST

Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL (AHN) - A hyperbaric oxygen chamber at a private medical clinic in South Florida exploded Friday killing a woman and critically injuring a young boy.

The woman, who was the boy's grandmother, died from her injuries early Saturday morning, the sheriff's office said in a press release.

The blast happened Friday afternoon at the Ocean Hyperbaric Oxygen Neurologic Center in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. The center has several hyperbaric chambers.

The victims were identified as Franchesco Martinizi, 4, and Vincenza Pesce, 61.

According to police, a Broward Sheriff's deputy arrived on the scene within two minutes of the call and rescued the boy. The Center had been filled with smoke from the burning chamber. The grandmother was pulled out by other responders, and both victims airlifted to nearby Jackson Memorial Hospital's burn unit.

Reports said the two were brought out on a stretcher and Martinizi's skin was blackened.

Hyperbaric chambers were first used to treat diving injuries commonly referred to as "the bends." But in recent years they have also been used to treat conditions like wounds and autism.

The Broward Sheriff's Office and the Florida Fire Marshal's Office are investigation the incident.