LOS ANGELES, California – Two Los Angeles firefighters are in critical condition after being injured in a compressed natural gas truck explosion in Wilmington. The incident occurred on Thursday morning as the firefighters were putting out the fire on North Alameda Street.
One firefighter, a 37-year-old veteran, was airlifted to a burn center for specialty care, while the other remains in critical but stable condition. Seven other firefighters were also injured and treated for burns, injuries from flying shrapnel, and hearing effects.
The explosion occurred when one of the vehicle’s two 100-gallon CNG fuel tanks pressurized to at least 3,000 psi. Security camera footage captured a giant fireball rising above the South Bay community, showing the magnitude of the blast.
The specialized nature of the vehicle was highlighted by LAFD Capt. Erik Scott, explaining that it was propelled with compressed natural gas rather than diesel or gasoline. The explosion was significant, causing severe injuries to the firefighters. The truck driver, who was not injured, had called 911 after noticing something wrong with the vehicle.
The trucking company, HLT, expressed gratitude to the firefighters and conveyed that they are cooperating with authorities to determine the cause of the explosion. The company is working with advisors to investigate the incident further.
Compressed natural gas (CNG) is a fuel gas primarily composed of methane and is stored in hard pressurized containers. CNG vehicles have spark-ignited internal combustion engines, similar to gasoline-powered vehicles. The fuel is supplied to fuel lines from a cylinder via a pressure regulator, eventually mixing with air and being ignited by a spark plug in a combustion chamber.
The aftermath of the explosion is a reminder of the risks associated with handling compressed natural gas and the importance of thorough safety measures in such situations. The injured firefighters demonstrate the dangers faced by first responders in the line of duty, highlighting the bravery and sacrifices made by these individuals every day.