LOS ANGELES, California – Two Los Angeles firefighters are in critical condition after being injured in an explosion involving a compressed natural gas truck in Wilmington. The incident occurred while the firefighters were responding to a fire at the 1100 block of North Alameda Street. One of the injured firefighters, a 37-year-old veteran of the Los Angeles Fire Department, was airlifted to a burn center for specialized care, while the other firefighter remained in critical but stable condition.
In addition to the two critically injured firefighters, seven others were also injured and required hospitalization. Their injuries included burns, shrapnel wounds, and hearing problems caused by the force of the explosion.
The explosion occurred when one of the truck’s two 100-gallon CNG fuel tanks pressurized to at least 3,000 psi, causing a violent explosion that injured the firefighters. Security camera footage captured the massive fireball that resulted from the explosion, sending remnants of the fuel tank hundreds of feet from the truck.
The specialized nature of the vehicle involved in the explosion was highlighted by LAFD Captain Erik Scott, who explained that it was not powered by diesel or gasoline, but by compressed natural gas. The truck driver, who was not injured in the explosion, had called 911 after noticing something wrong with the vehicle.
Compressed natural gas (CNG) is a fuel gas composed mainly of methane and is stored in hard pressurized containers, commonly used to power vehicles with spark-ignited internal combustion engines. These types of vehicles store CNG in cylinders that supply fuel to fuel lines, with a pressure regulator ensuring the proper mix of CNG and air for combustion.
The incident serves as a reminder of the inherent risks associated with working in the firefighting profession, as well as the potential dangers posed by specialized vehicles powered by alternative fuels. The injured firefighters’ road to recovery will likely be long and challenging, but their bravery and dedication to their duties in the face of such dangers is to be commended.