BREAKING: Ten firefighters injured and multiple buildings ablaze after massive explosion in downtown Los Angeles
- A major fire broke out in Little Tokyo/downtown area of Los Angeles on Saturday
- Blaze occurred close to Skid Row residents, senior and low income housing
- Ten firefighters have been injured and multiple buildings are ablaze
- The fire has resulted in a massive response by the LA Fire Department with 230 firefighters now at the scene
Ten firefighters have been injured and multiple buildings are ablaze after a massive explosion in downtown Los Angeles, officials have said.
The explosion happened at around 6:30pm, while firefighters were already responding to a blaze at a one-story commercial building on East Boyd St, KTLA5 reported.
Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Nicholas Prange said the firefighters entered the building, and there was nothing unusual until the explosion occurred.
The fire has resulted in a massive response by the LA Fire Department with 230 firefighters now at the scene.
Ten firefighters have been injured and multiple buildings are ablaze after a massive explosion in downtown Los Angeles, officials have said
zThe explosion happened at around 6:30pm, while firefighters were already responding to a blaze on East Boyd St
The fire has resulted in a massive response by the LA Fire Department with 230 firefighters now at the scene
Video showed large plumes of smoke billowing over the area and flames shooting up from one of the buildings.
The department issued a ‘mayday’ call and characterized the incident as a ‘major emergency.’ By about 7:15 p.m. the fire appeared largely under control.
The condition of the injured was not immediately known. News helicopters showed dozens of fire trucks at the scene. As firefighters aimed hoses at the long-slung building where the explosion occurred, others could be seen standing next to gurneys that had been readied for the injured.
The department upgraded the incident to ‘ a major emergency’ with the firefighters going into defensive mode as they battled the flames, LAFD said at 7pm on Saturday evening
Video showed large plumes of smoke billowing over the area and flames shooting up from one of the buildings
The department upgraded the incident to ‘ a major emergency’ with the firefighters going into defensive mode as they battled the flames, LAFD said at 7pm.
‘A medical branch has been created for treating and transporting injured firefighters,’ LAFD said.
No information was available on the conditions of the firefighters or the nature of the ten who were injured.
It was not immediately known what type of business was in the building or what caused the explosion.
It is still unclear what ignited the blaze or set off the explosion