MERCED  (AP) — Sheriff's deputies say one worker was killed and two others seriously injured in a fuel tank explosion on a ranch near Merced.

Merced County deputies say the explosion occurred a little before 4 p.m. Wednesday on the edge of an orchard near a farm home. The men were employed by a company contracted to do work in the area.

Sheriff's Deputy Delray Shelton says the injured men suffered burns and were flown to the Modesto area for treatment. The name of the man who died has not been released.

Shelton says the state Division of Occupational Safety and Health will investigate.