Three Los Angeles Fire Department firefighters sustained burn injuries during a vehicle fire that erupted into what was initially reported as an explosion and later called a large fireball in Shadow Hills, according to the LAFD. KTLA and the LAFD's alert both reported on this incident that occurred at 9750 N Wheatland Avenue around 2:20 P.M. The LAFD described the vehicle as a conventional gasoline-fueled coupe that contained excessive personal storage.
Upon their arrival and engagement, the firefighters experienced what has now been described as a fireball erupting from the vehicle; this led to three of them immediately being transported to a local burn center, while a fourth crew member, initially showing no signs of injury or medical complaints, also was later taken to the same hospital for evaluation, a statement from the LAFD conveyed by CBS News mentioned. The cause of the fire and the subsequent fireball is still under active investigation, with no other injuries reported initially.
In addition to the firefighter's hurt, a civilian, specifically an adult male associated with the burned coupe, also suffered minor burn injuries and singed facial hair, both the LAFD alert and subsequent LAFD update clarified. The civilian was transported by LAFD ambulance to an area hospital and was reported to be in fair condition.
Details about the incident remain scant as the authorities are yet to disseminate findings from the ongoing investigation. Firefighters at the scene told KCAL News that in all there were five injuries, the last of which was the driver of the car who is believed to be the adult male civilian, earlier described to have sustained minor burns, and specifying his condition as fair, they sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
