Authorities were continuing their investigation on Tuesday, June 25, into an explosion at a homeless encampment in the Sepulveda Basin where a firefighter was critically injured and 10 more firefighters hurt.
Firefighters were sent to the 15700 block of West Burbank Boulevard near the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area around 1:30 p.m. Monday regarding a brush fire in the encampment, said Melissa Kelley, a Los Angeles Fire Department spokeswoman.
As crews were making their way into the area the explosion occurred, injuring the firefighter, who was taken by helicopter in critical condition with a severed ear to Northridge Hospital Medical Center. LAFD officials said the firefighter’s injuries were considered serious but not life-threatening.
Fox 11 reported that the firefighter’s ear was re-attached at the hospital.
Los Angeles police and members of the LAFD’s Arson Division will be handing the explosion’s investigation.
“Initially, we thought it might have been a propane tank,” said LAPD Deputy Chief Ruby Flores, adding that investigators found no evidence of such a tank.
Crews on the scene halted the spread of the brush fire within 30 minutes, and no other injury was reported.
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