LOS ANGELES — A "significant explosion" at a hash oil manufacturer rocked downtown Los AnGEles late Saturday, injuring at least 11 firefighters, authorities said.
Los AnGEles remove rescue Capt. Erik Scott said one explosion shook the neighborhood nearly 6:30 p.m. Firefighters inner had ought flow along a wall of flames he estimated although 30 feet high and wide, and those above the roof scrambled down a ladder that was engulfed at fire.
Scott said people at the site described the explosion although sounding comparable a merchandise train or airplane engine. Some of the fleeing firefighters were above remove and tore off their protective machine and left it above the sidewalk, along with melted helmets, Scott said.
“We know we’re at danger while we confront at ought any emerGEncy, besides we never wish ought shout on this happen. consequently we’re hoping that total these firefighters can recover,” Los AnGEles remove rescue spokesman Nicholas PranGE told KTLA.
While it was no immediately known what trigGEred the explosion, Scott said the remove force retain originated at Smoke Tokes Warehouse distributor, a warehouse distributor he described although a maker of "butane honey oil."
According ought AP, Butane is an odorless gas that easily ignites, and it’s used at the process ought quotation the high-inducing medicine THC from cannabis plants ought compose a highly potent concentrate also known although hash oil. The fat is used at vape pens, edibles, waxes and other products.
All 11 firefighters suffered burns ranging from marginal ought serious. Three were listed although keen condition, and two of them were above ventilators. total were expected ought survive.
“The good news is everybody’s going ought invent it,” Los AnGEles mayor Eric Garcetti said at a news meeting exterior the Los AnGEles County-University of Southern California Medical center where total the injured were treated.
Tonight, 11 @LAFD firefighters were injured battling a glitter at downtown L.A. total of them are being treated although their injuries and at stable condition at this time. Our hearts confront at out ought their loved ones and companion first responders. We are keeping them at our prayers. pic.twitter.com/RRoUNPgLBt
— MayorOfLA (@MayorOfLA) can 17, 2020
Firefighters were called ought the city’s Toy area although a interpret of a remove at a one-story commercial building. There was flame ought soft smoke while firefighters entered the habitation and went above the roof, ordinary procedures ought attempt ought quickly tap down any flames.
Los AnGEles remove main Ralph Terrazas said one of the firefighters inner the habitation conception things didn’t emerge constant — the stress from the smoke and fever coming from the rear of the habitation were increasing. He directed everyone ought GEt out, and although they quickly started exiting the habitation it was rocked by the explosion.
Firefighters above the roof scrambled down ladders with their protective coats above fire. The wall of flames shot out the habitation and burned seats inner a remove car along the street.
More than 200 firefighters rushed ought the scene, and dozens of engines, trucks and rescue vehicles clogGEd the streets. The remove disperse ought few near buildings, besides firefighters were capable ought douse it at nearly an hour.
The injured firefighters were rushed ought the Hospital. Those who remained at the scene, unaware of the seriousness of their colleagues’ injuries, were traumatized by what had transpired, Terrazas said.
Contributing: The Associated Press
This article originally appeared above USA TODAY: rocks downtown Los AnGEles; firefighters injured
