Los Angeles, California – A firefighter critically injured in a tractor-trailer explosion last week in Wilmington was extubated over the weekend and was reported to be awake and able to communicate, authorities confirmed. The explosion, caused by a compressed natural gas tank, also injured eight other firefighters, all of whom were released from the hospital by Friday.
The firefighter still in the hospital is a nine-year veteran of the Los Angeles Fire Department. He was said to be “awake, alert and talking” on Saturday, according to Captain Erik Scott. This firefighter faces a long road to recovery, with the next step being the reintroduction of food, Scott added.
The incident occurred when a CNG-powered semi-truck caught fire on Alameda Street, prompting a 911 call from a trucker around 7 a.m. Two 100-pound tanks on the truck exploded, one shortly after firefighters arrived, leading to injuries of nine firefighters in total.
Approximately 150 additional firefighters arrived at the scene to assist the injured and extinguish the fire. The fire department also brought in a firefighting robot to apply water to the second burning tank remotely.
All eight firefighters who were released from the hospital are now at home resting with their families, according to Scott. The incident remains under investigation as the injured firefighter continues to recover.
The explosion highlights the dangers that firefighters face while responding to emergencies and underscores the importance of ongoing training and preparedness within fire departments. As the injured firefighter begins the journey to recovery, the incident serves as a reminder of the risks that first responders take in the line of duty.