A massive explosion rocked Wilmington early Thursday, injuring nine firefighters who were rapidly responding to a semi-truck blaze. The Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn expressed her deep concern and solidarity with the injured firefighters and their families, stating, "I have no doubt our LA County doctors and nurses are doing everything they can to save their lives," according to official statements.
The Los Angeles Fire Department detailed the unfortunate chain of events in Wilmington, where a compressed natural gas (CNG) truck caught fire, leading to an explosion six minutes after firefighters arrived. Initial reports from the scene indicated the firefighters were working to extinguish the vehicle when one of the high-pressure CNG tanks violently erupted. The incident, which occurred at about 6:58 AM, saw first responders quickly move to provide aid to their injured colleagues, as confirmed by an LAFD declaration. Two firefighters were critically injured, with one airlifted to a specialized burn center for treatment.
More than 150 firefighters were eventually brought in to not only combat the fire but also address the pressing medical and hazardous material concerns. The remaining cylinder continued to burn for hours, necessitating an exclusion zone of 500 feet to protect both the first responders and the public, detailed LAFD. Thankfully, there were no civilian injuries, and seven firefighters have since been released from the hospital. The community responded by sending thoughts and support to the LAFD for the injured members.
The physical manifestation of the explosion's ferocity was evident in the remnants of the detonated cylinder found hundreds of feet from the fire site, as Hoodline reported. LAFD’s innovative use of the Thermite RS3 firefighting robot was pivotal in safely continuing to cool the remaining cylinder, showcasing the department's ability to adapt and utilize remote solutions for firefighter safety.
Hahn has long represented Wilmington and acknowledged the community's concern over the possibility of such tragedies due to truck traffic. In the wake of the incident, residents were advised to stay put at first, and later, to evacuate as necessary until the threat was mitigated. The Wilmington Senior Center offered refuge to those displaced by the exclusion zone. Now, as the majority of the injured have returned home, attention turns to the ongoing condition of the two hospitalized firefighters, whose care the community continues to anxiously watch over.
