An L.A. fire captain sustained injuries early Tuesday morning following an explosion at a homeless encampment. The blast occurred as firefighters tackled a fire that had broken out in an abandoned pedestrian tunnel in Manchester Square. The Los Angeles Fire Department reported that the incident happened at approximately 3 a.m. at 7501 S Normandie Avenue.
During efforts to extinguish a debris fire within the underpass, a pressurized cylinder—believed to be an oxygen tank—detonated, injuring the fire department captain who was leading the response team. Subsequent to the incident, he was taken to a nearby hospital described to be in fair condition, suffering non-life-threatening injuries. There were no other reported injuries from the explosion, as per information released by Brian Humphrey of the LAFD.
The encampment fire and resultant explosion at the site have prompted an investigation into the cause of the fire.
According to a KTLA report, the incident unfolded in the 7500 block of South Normandie Avenue, an area that is no stranger to the challenges posed by makeshift living spaces that have sprung up across the city. The exact cause of the fire that led to the blast is currently being investigated by authorities.
