Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
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.
Support for LAist comes from
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.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzOTZweCIgd2lkdGg9IjY0MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=)
L.A. County investigators have launched a probe into allegations about Va Lecia Adams Kellum and people she hired at the L.A. Homeless Services Authority. -
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass suspended a state law allowing duplexes, calling more housing unsafe. But in Altadena, L.A. County leaders say these projects could be key for rebuilding.
-
This measure on the Nov. 4, 2025, California ballot is part of a larger battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives next year.
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline.
-
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5425437/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3897+0+0/resize/640x396!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
Best of LAist