A Los Angeles firefighter was seriously injured in an explosion Monday afternoon as crews battled a wildfire near a homeless encampment in the Sepulveda Basin.
The firefighter was airlifted to Northridge Hospital and is in serious but stable condition, said Erik Scott, spokesman for the Los Angeles Fire Department.
“During the extensive firefight, an explosion occurred and one of our members suffered significant head trauma,” Scott said.
He said 10 other firefighters were also being evaluated at the hospital due to their proximity to the explosion, but none appeared to have major injuries.
Crews first responded to a half-acre fire near Burbank Boulevard and Woodley Avenue shortly after 1:30 p.m., said Melissa Kelley, another LAFD spokeswoman. The explosion occurred shortly after and more firefighters were called to continue the fight.
It took about 30 minutes to extinguish the flames; About 80 firefighters responded to the call, Kelley said.
“The cause and what broke out are under investigation,” Kelley said.
Firefighters initially reported that the fire had broken out at the homeless encampment. No property was damaged. People nearby were evacuated after the explosion, Scott said.
“Thankfully it was not fatal, like our beloved Los Angeles County firefighter,” Scott said, referring to Andrew Pontious, who died earlier this month in an explosion in Antelope Valley. “This is a reminder of the inherent dangers of this chosen profession.”
The Los Angeles Police Department is assisting with the investigation, Scott said.
