In an unfortunate incident early Thursday morning, nine Los Angeles firefighters were injured, with two in critical condition, when an explosion occurred as they responded to a truck fire in the Wilmington area. The blast, which occurred shortly before 7 a.m., left debris scattered on the street, causing significant damage.

According to Nicholas Prange, a spokesperson for the fire department, the truck was carrying pressurized cylinders, two of which were 100-gallon compressed natural gas (CNG) tanks. The vehicle, unlike traditional ones that run on diesel or gasoline, was propelled using CNG. Fire Captain Erik Scott described the explosion as significant, with a ball of flame reaching heights as high as the nearby telephone poles.

A total of 10 firefighters were dispatched to the scene, and the explosion took place 13 minutes after the fire was reported. It remains unclear at this time the condition of the truck driver, as Prange was unable to provide any information. The TV helicopter footage captured the devastation, showing the truck completely destroyed and a small flame continuing to burn in the wreckage more than an hour after the explosion.

The incident occurred in an industrial area separated from a neighboring residential neighborhood by a wide street and a rail line. Wilmington, located 18 miles south of downtown Los Angeles, is in close proximity to the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

The cause of the explosion, as well as the exact contents of the cylinders, are yet to be confirmed. Authorities suspect that the cylinders may have contained compressed natural gas. Investigations into the incident are currently underway to determine the circumstances leading up to the explosion and any potential safety lapses.

The injured firefighters are receiving medical treatment, and their conditions will continue to be monitored closely. As the community awaits further updates, the incident serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by our brave firefighters in the line of duty.