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Fire, explosion in Los Angeles injures 11 firefighters

Fire, explosion in Los Angeles injures several firefighters
Posted at 7:35 PM, May 16, 2020
and last updated 2020-05-17 01:49:50-04

LOS ANGELES (AP) — An explosion Saturday at a hash oil manufacturer in downtown Los Angeles injured 11 firefighters who had gone inside the building after an initial report of a fire.

Los Angeles Fire Department Capt. Erik Scott said “one significant explosion” shook the neighborhood around 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

LAFD spokesman Nicholas Prange said there was nothing unusual until the explosion occurred.

As first responders arrived, they saw firefighters emerge from the building with burns and other injuries. Officials did not provide conditions on the injured.

The department issued a “mayday” call and characterized the incident as a “major emergency.” More than 200 firefighters were then called to assist.

Scott described the business as a maker of “butane honey oil.” Butane is an odorless gas that easily ignites. Honey oil is extracted from cannabis.