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2 Apartments Red Tagged, 1 Injured In Explosion At West Hollywood Complex

WEST HOLLYWOOD (CBSLA.com) — One person has been injured following an explosion at a two-story apartment complex in West Hollywood.

Reporting from the scene, CBS2 and KCAL9 reporter Juan Fernandez says two apartments have been red tagged due to the explosion -- the apartment where the explosion occurred and the one just above it.

Investigators told him they believe the blast -- chemical in nature -- is linked to a resident trying to extract THC out of marijuana.

The blast occurred on the first floor of the building in the 1200 block of N. Havenhurst Drive just south of Fountain Avenue about 7 p.m. Friday.

According to the Los Angeles County Fire Department, 12 people have been displaced and the American Red Cross has been called to the scene to assist.

Video captured by Sky9 shows blown out windows and doors as well as broken glass.

Aaron Fitzgerald, reporting overhead, says the injured person suffered first and second-degree burns. That person was transported to an area hospital.

One resident told Fernandez she thought she was in an earthquake.

Morgan Healy, who lived in the upstairs red tagged apartment said, "It was like the entire building was lifted up and then slammed back down. I was thrown off the couch. I heard all this glass shattering ... the vents in the hallway were all filling up with smoke ... so I just grabbed my stuff and ran downstairs."

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