LOS ANGELES (KTLA) – A compressed natural gas tank exploded on a big rig in California on Thursday morning, injuring at least seven firefighters, including two who were hospitalized in critical condition, authorities said.
The blast, which was caught on video, occurred shortly before 7 a.m. in Los Angeles’ Wilmington neighborhood. The video recorded by Noel Jordan and shared with KTLA showed flames and smoke from the explosion rising high into the air.
“That explosion was significant. The ball of flame was as high as telephone poles, and it did explode one of the [power] transformers nearby,” Los Angeles Fire Department Captain Erik Scott said during a news conference shortly after the blast.
Firefighters had responded to the scene after getting reports that cylinders believed to be compressed natural gas (CNG) were on fire.
“There are two 100-gallon tanks on that vehicle, one of which exploded while our firefighters were putting out the fire,” Scott said at a mid-morning news conference.
The explosion of a CNG-powerd truck that injured seven firefighters was captured on video in Wilmington on Feb. 15, 2024. (Noel Jordan) The explosion of a CNG-powerd truck that injured seven firefighters was captured on video in Wilmington on Feb. 15, 2024. (Noel Jordan) The scene in Wilmington where a CNG-powered truck exploded Thursday morning, injuring 7 firefighters. Feb. 15, 2024. (KTLA) The scene in Wilmington where a CNG-powered truck exploded Thursday morning, injuring 7 firefighters. Feb. 15, 2024. (KTLA) The scene in Wilmington where a CNG-powered truck exploded Thursday morning, injuring 7 firefighters. Feb. 15, 2024. (KTLA) The scene in Wilmington where a CNG-powered truck exploded Thursday morning, injuring 7 firefighters. Feb. 15, 2024. (KTLA)
The natural gas, Scott said, was the truck’s fuel, and the tractor was not hauling a trailer at the time.
“That explosion was significant. The ball of flame was as high as telephone poles, and it did explode one of the [power] transformers nearby,” said Scott.
KTLA aerial footage showed the charred wreckage of the big rig with burned debris scattered around the area, including firefighting gear.
Scott said the injured firefighters were quickly triaged and treated at the scene before getting transported to a local hospital.
“Two of them are in critical condition as we speak,” Scott said.
The Los Angeles Department of Health Services later said that a total of nine people, including two in critical condition, were sent to Harbor UCLA Medical Center in connection with the blast.
The DHS did not say whether all of the injured patients were firefighters.
“One of the victims in critical condition has now been transferred to our sister hospital, Los Angeles General Medical Center where we operate one of only 3 Burn Center units in Los Angeles,” the DHS stated in a news release.
The other seven patients were being treated for general injuries.
The second CNG tank remained intact at 9 a.m., forcing fire crews to keep a safe distance.
The driver appeared to escape unharmed before the blast.
“Our heart and concern remain with our dear firefighters who suffered those significant traumatic injuries,’ Scott said.
Motorists were asked to avoid the area.
