Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your tax-deductible donation now.
Just 1 Firefighter Remains Hospitalized After Massive Weekend Fire In DTLA
Firefighters gather near the scene of the Smoke and Toke fire in downtown Los Angeles. (Chava Sanchez)
Good news in that huge fire and explosion that injured 12 firefighters this weekend at the Smoke Tokes wholesaler in downtown Los Angeles.
Eleven firefighters were injured seriously enough to be hospitalized, but tonight, Los Angeles City Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas says just one is still in the hospital. The chief says that firefighter is in stable condition and beginning his recovery.
Very happy that only 1 @LAFD member remains hospitalized @LACUSCMedCenter after the Boyd Street Fire. He is in stable condition and beginning his recovery. Thank you all for the ongoing support, kind words & prayers for all of our firefighters.
— Chief Terrazas (@LAFDChief) May 20, 2020
A GoFundMe page organized to benefit the injured firefighter, identified on the site as Captain Victor Aguirre, has reached more than $130,000 of a $150,000 goal.
The cause is still under investigation and the ATF is helping with that probe. A nearby location also operated by Smoke Tokes was the scene of another major fire in 2016.
Chief Terrazas said this week that the department will inspect vape and smoke shops around the city to make sure they're all in compliance with fire codes.
READ MORE ABOUT THE FIRE:
- ATF Arson And Explosive Investigators Join Inquiry Into Massive Downtown LA Fire That Injured 12 Firefighters
- Huge Fire Breaks Out On The Edge Of Downtown LA
- LAFD Chief On Last Night's Fire: 'A Lot Of Our Firefighters Were Traumatized'
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily newsletters. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
