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Truck Explosion Injures LA Firefighters, 2 Are In Critical Condition
The tractor portion of a big rig is shown on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024 in the Wilmington section of Los Angeles.
(
Eric Thayer
/
Associated Press
)
A truck explosion in Wilmington early Thursday injured nine Los Angeles firefighters, two of them critically.
Authorities said the firefighters were responding Thursday morning to a truck on fire near the intersection of Alameda Street and Henry Ford Avenue. The truck's pressurized cylinders apparently exploded, leaving little behind.
What we know so far
The truck was powered by compressed methane gas and had two large tanks attached. Fire Capt. Erik Scott said the driver exited before the fire started and was not injured, but six minutes after arriving, a tank exploded.
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One firefighter received specialized care at a burn center and was airlifted to L.A. General Hospital for further care. But trauma surgeon Molly Dean told reporters that “frankly it's remarkable” the firefighters did not sustain more serious injuries.
Firefighters set up a 500-foot perimeter around the scene and Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley said there was no longer a public safety threat.
At the news conference, L.A. Mayor Karen Bass had a message for the LAFD: "The 4 million people of Los Angeles stand with you."
"What happened this morning is a risk our firefighters take every single day," she added.
L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn, who represents Wilmington, said on X, formerly known as Twitter:
"This is awful. These @LAFD firefighters were working to protect the public. They were responding to a fire on a vehicle that had pressurized tanks when the explosion occurred. I’m praying for these firefighters and their families."
What the aftermath looked like
Other news outlets captured the aftermath of the explosion, which left behind just the shell of the truck:
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#explosion #Wilmington #Maday call, 7 LAFD Firefighters injured in explosion of truck carrying CNG cylinders. Area being evacuated. Audio Broadcastify @FOXLA pic.twitter.com/cF9xDOFLua
— Kevin Takumi (@KevinTakumi) February 15, 2024
7 LAFD firefighters injured after explosion in Wilmington area https://t.co/KtYB3Zxfxp
— KCAL News (@kcalnews) February 15, 2024
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