Firefighters Investigate Cause Of High-Rise Explosion In Downtown LA
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Firefighters on Friday continued to investigate what caused a thunderous explosion to occur at a high-rise building in downtown Los Angeles.
Shortly after 10 p.m. on Thursday, crews were sent to a 19-story office building located in the 800 block of West Wilshire Boulevard at Flower Street in the Financial District, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
Upon their arrival, firefighters located evidence of an explosion and fire on the first subterranean level of the building.
Four adults, two of which declined treatment, sustained minor injuries during the incident.
Paramedics transported a woman with a headache and a man with back pain in good condition for further evaluation.
In total, 161 firefighters contained the fire and controlled smoke, which subsequently revealed a large volume of water and possible electrical issues in the basement.
Firefighters explained the building has been "red-tagged" as being temporarily unfit for occupancy by the Department of Building & Safety.
No one will not be allowed back inside until electric service and fire safety systems are restored.
The explosion also caused a power outage to occur at the Staples Center during a Shania Twain concert.
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power crews are working to restore power and to remove water from the flooded basement.
A total of 13 buildings remain without power in the area.
Monetary loss from widespread damage to the building remains under evaluation.
According to firefighters, a large generator located within the building is suspected as being involved in the incident.
However, the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
