Re: 9 LAFD firefighters injured, 2 critically, in Wilmington explosion involving natural gas cylinder

[sparky]

On 10 Mar 2022, Molly Bolt <mollyth...@gmail.com> posted some
news:6473fbd5-dd29-48bf...@googlegroups.com:

> If the truck was a BEV this would have been a better explosion.

WILMINGTON, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A massive explosion involving a
pressurized cylinder on a semitruck in Wilmington on Thursday morning left
nine firefighters injured, including two who were critically hurt,
officials said.

The incident occurred shortly before 7 a.m. in the area of Alameda Street
and Henry Ford Avenue, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Twelve firefighters "responded to a truck with pressurized cylinders on
fire," the agency said in a statement. The blast happened six minutes
after they arrived.

Several firefighters were immediately rushed to Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
and others were initially evaluated at the scene before they too were
hospitalized. One of the firefighters was later airlifted to a burn center
for specialty care.

The uninjured driver was cooperating with investigators, Capt. Erik Scott
told reporters at a news conference held outside the hospital.

Video from AIR7 HD showed the charred wreckage of the burned semitruck,
which had no trailer attached. The vehicle was fueled by two 100-gallon
tanks containing compressed natural gas, an LAFD spokesperson said, adding
that only one of them exploded. Afterward, the other tank was being
"gassed off" as a precaution.

Several fire engines, apparently undamaged, were seen nearby. A 500-foot
perimeter was established around the blast site.

"Residents are encouraged to stay inside," the LAFD said. "There are no
homes within the immediate danger zone and no formal evacuations have been
ordered."

A doorbell camera in the area captured video footage of the fiery
explosion, which ignited a fireball that reached as high as suspended
power lines and resulted in an electrical transformer explosion.

In the aftermath, more than 150 firefighters responded to the location,
including a hazardous materials team. The public was urged to avoid the
area.

The Fire Department initially said the blast involved a tank on a fire
engine, and that three firefighters were in critical condition.

https://abc7.com/firefighters-explosion-engine-truck/14428257/