Seven firefighters are injured, including two who are in critical condition, following an explosion in Los Angeles, according to the LA Fire Department.
The blast occurred when 12 firefighters responded to a semi-truck on fire early Thursday, the department said.
This tractor portion of a big rig is seen damaged, Feb. 15, 2024 in the Wilmington section of Los Angeles.
Eric Thayer/AP
The tractor portion of a big rig is shown Feb. 15, 2024 in the Wilmington section of Los Angeles.
Eric Thayer/AP
The semi-truck does “not run on diesel or on gasoline, but it is actually propelled … with compressed natural gas,” Fire Department Capt. Erik Scott said at a news conference.
Two 100-gallon tanks were on the truck, one of which exploded while firefighters were putting out the blaze, Scott said.
The flames were as high as telephone poles and exploded a transformer nearby, he said.
Seven firefighters injured in explosion in LA on Feb. 15, 2024.
KABC
Seven firefighters injured in explosion in LA on Feb. 15, 2024.
KABC
Officials do not know the condition of the driver or if the vehicle was moving at the time of the fire, Scott said.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.