An explosion at a hash oil manufacturer in downtown Los Angeles injured 12 firefighters and spread to nearby buildings.
Los Angeles Fire Department Capt. Erik Scott says “one significant explosion” shook the area around 6:30 p.m. Saturday.
LAFD spokesman Nicholas Prange said there was nothing unusual until the explosion occurred.
However, as first responders arrived on the scene, they saw firefighters exit the building with burns and other injuries. Officials have not provided details on the conditions of the injured.
The department ultimately issued a “mayday” call and characterized the incident as a “major emergency.” At that point, more than 200 firefighters were called to assist.
Scott described the business where the blaze originated as a maker of “butane honey oil.” Butane is an odorless gas that ignites easily, and honey oil is extracted from cannabis.
All of the injured as expected to survive. “The good news is everybody’s going to make it,” Mayor Eric Garcetti said during a late Saturday news conference outside the Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical Center where all the injured were treated.
Scott added that people at the scene said the explosion sounded like a freight train or jet engine.
A wall of flames shot out the building and burned seats inside a fire truck that was parked across the street. Additionally, the fire ended up spreading to several nearby buildings, although firefighters were able to put it out after about an hour.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
