Mocobizscene- Nine firefighters from Los Angeles County sustained injuries on Thursday morning as they worked to put out a fire on a semi-truck carrying pressurized natural gas tanks in Wilmington.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department received a call about a fire at 1120 N. Alameda St., close to the Marathon Los Angeles Refinery in Wilmington. Fire crews quickly responded to the scene, arriving just before 7 a.m.
Upon arrival, emergency responders discovered a blazing semi-truck carrying two 100-gallon compressed natural gas cylinders. According to authorities, the flames were being extinguished by a team of firefighters when suddenly, one of the two tanks exploded just a few minutes later.
A neighbor’s camera recorded a video showing a plume of white smoke rising into the sky, followed by a massive fireball. Fire officials are currently investigating the cause of the fire. During a press conference outside the hospital, Capt. Erik Scott informed reporters that the driver of the semi-truck, who remained unharmed, is fully cooperating with the investigators.
Aguilar told the Post that it felt as if something had exploded right under his house. He described the experience as a sudden and powerful force that shook the ground beneath him.
Aguilar and his neighbors rushed outside to investigate the source of the noise, only to find metal parts cascading from the heavens. Some of these debris ended up landing on nearby houses, Aguilar recalled. Over 150 firefighters were dispatched to the site of the explosion to combat the fires and offer medical assistance, as well as to manage the cleanup of hazardous materials, according to authorities.
The exact cause of the fire has not been determined yet. However, the explosion resulted in a significant amount of smoke being released into the air. Additionally, the force of the blast was so powerful that it led to the explosion of an adjacent electrical transformer, as reported by fire officials.
According to fire officials, this particular semi-truck was operating on compressed gas, which is a departure from the usual use of diesel fuel. Authorities have established a 500-foot perimeter around the blast site and are urging residents to remain indoors until further instructions.
Currently, no homes are located within what is considered the danger zone, according to authorities. As a result, there have been no formal evacuations ordered at this time. Janice Hahn, the representative for Los Angeles Fourth District, which includes Wilmington, expressed her heartfelt concern for the injured firefighters, their families, and the county fire department.
According to Hahn, the doctors and nurses in LA County are making every effort to save lives. As someone who has represented Wilmington for many years, Hahn understands the concerns of the community, especially considering the heavy truck traffic in the area. This tragic incident is something that has been a worry for the community for a long time.
Also Read:
- NW DC robbery suspect disarms PSO, gets shot by another: MPD
- Identity of man shot by police in Southeast DC revealed
