Fire Explosion
Reuters Connect

A major fire structure explosion occurred on Saturday and 11 firefighters got injured in downtown Los Angeles, according to a recently published article.

The Los Angeles Fire Department initially received a call that a fire occurred at a one-story building in downtown Los Angeles. Firefighters responded immediately and when they entered the building there was nothing unusual until the explosion occurred.

11 firefighters got injured due to the unexpected explosion and the department immediately sent more than 200 firefighters who responded to the fire. The department issued a "mayday" call and the fire incident as a major emergency because it spread to several buildings nearby.

According to the Los Angeles Fire Department Spokesperson Nicholas Prange, "We know we're at risk when we go to any emergency, but we never want to see this happen. So we're hoping that all these firefighters can recover," In a developing report, the condition of the 11 firefighters is not yet known but the department said that they were hurt with the unexpected explosion.

However, a local media confirmed that the firefighters suffered a degree of burns and two of them have critical injuries. They were immediately rushed to the nearest hospital nearby.

Moreover, dozens of fire trucks responded to the fire incident as firefighters aimed their hoses at the building while others could be seen standing next to the wheeled stretchers that have been made ready for the injured firefighters.

Additionally, there are reports of damages due to the explosion and the aerial video of the fire incident showed blackened windows and debris on its roof.

The Los Angeles Fire Department believed that the explosion originated at Smoke Tokes Warehouse Distributor, it is a warehouse that distributes and makes butane honey oil. On its website, the warehouse offers a variety of products and that includes "puff bars," pipes, "dab" tools, vaporizers, "torches and butane," and cartridges.

Moreover, the company claims that they are "an international distributor and wholesaler of smoking and vaping products and related accessories."

According to the people nearby who heard the explosion that it sounded like a freight train or a jet engine. Additionally, the firefighters who initially inspected the building tore off their protective equipment that had burned and helmets were melted according to the Fire Department's Capt. Erik Scott.

In another published report, that what ignites the fire was the odorless butane that is typically used to extract the high-inducing chemical THC from cannabis plants to create to what is known as hash oil.

This is a highly potent concentrate oil that is used in vape pens, waxes, and other products. The fire lasted and was declared under control after one hour.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti posted on his Twitter account on late Saturday "My thoughts are with our brave @LAFD firefighters. Closely tracking this situation as we continue to get more information."

There are no reports yet as to the cost of damage to the said fire incident and if there were any casualties aside from the 11 firefighters who were reportedly injured.

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