LOS ANGELES, California – A natural gas truck explosion in Los Angeles left 9 firefighters injured on Saturday evening. The explosion occurred while the firefighters were responding to a report of a gas leak in a residential neighborhood.
The Los Angeles Fire Department said that the explosion occurred as firefighters were in the process of evacuating the area. The firefighters were all rushed to the hospital with various degrees of injuries, but all were in stable condition.
The explosion caused significant damage to the neighborhood, with several homes and vehicles affected. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the explosion and assessing the extent of the damage.
Mayor Eric Garcetti expressed his gratitude for the firefighters’ bravery and said that their injuries serve as a reminder of the dangers first responders face every day.
The incident serves as a reminder of the risks firefighters take on a daily basis. According to the National Fire Protection Association, there were an estimated 58,150 firefighter injuries in the line of duty in the United States in 2019, with over half of those injuries occurring at the scene of a fire.
The explosion also highlights the importance of proper training and equipment for first responders, as they often face hazardous situations in the course of their duties. Authorities will continue to investigate the cause of the explosion and take necessary measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.