VIDEO: Twelve firefighters were injured in a fire and explosion in the Toy District of downtown Los Angeles on Saturday evening.
As of Sunday afternoon, three have been discharged and eight remain hospitalized.
The incident began with a fire that was first reported around 6:26 p.m. on Saturday.
As firefighters were responding to the blaze inside the building at 327 East Boyd Street, the site of a butane honey oil supplier called Smoke Tokes, there was a “significant explosion,” said LAFD Captain Erik Scott. “After the explosion, the fire absolutely intensified and it shot out 30 feet like a blowtorch right in the path of egress,” Scott said.
The injured firefighters were transported to County USC Medical Center to be treated for burn injuries and smoke inhalation. Two firefighters were initially put on ventilators and four were sent to the intensive care unit for burns. At last check, there were no remaining firefighters on ventilators. All are expected to survive.