Los Angeles, California – A firefighter injured in the explosion in Wilmington has finally returned home after being discharged from the hospital. Daniel Goen, one of the nine firefighters injured in the incident, was released from the Los Angeles General Medical Center after receiving treatment for his injuries for over a week.
Goen was among the responders to a car fire involving a semi-truck in Wilmington when one of the truck’s compressed natural gas tanks exploded. The blast occurred on North Alameda Street in Wilmington, where two 100-gallon compressed natural gas tanks were present on the truck at the time, according to the Los Angeles City Fire Department.
Expressing gratitude for being alive and not sustaining any career-ending injuries, the firefighter thanked his colleagues and credited God for his survival as he left the hospital. He expressed his eagerness to return home, focus on recovery, and spend quality time with his family.
Chief Kristin Crowley of the LAFD commended the injured firefighters for their dedication to public safety, emphasizing the risks inherent in the firefighting profession. She acknowledged their commitment to prioritizing the safety of the public above their own, as they recuperate from the incident.
As investigations into the explosion continue, federal authorities are looking into HLT, the operator of the rig that exploded. The aftermath of the blast serves as a critical reminder of the dangers faced by firefighters in the line of duty and the sacrifices they make to ensure community safety.