In a shocking incident that unfolded in the Wilmington neighborhood of Los Angeles, a blast occurred as firefighters were attempting to battle a blaze, leaving seven of them injured, including two in critical condition. The explosion took place on Thursday morning when a burning truck's fuel tank exploded, causing chaos and destruction in its wake.

According to Nicholas Prange, a spokesperson for the fire department, the explosion happened shortly before 7 am. The truck, which was the tractor portion of a big rig, was fueled by compressed natural gas carried in two 100-gallon tanks. One of these tanks exploded, creating a massive ball of flame that reached as high as the telephone poles in the area. The force of the explosion was so intense that it even caused one of the transformers nearby to explode.

In TV news helicopter footage, discarded firefighting gear could be seen at the site where the injured crew members were initially treated. The truck, completely destroyed by the blast, continued to burn with a small flame amidst the mangled wreckage. Capt. Erik Scott, another spokesperson for the fire department, mentioned that the second fuel tank was still "off-gassing," posing a minor threat.

Six firefighters were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment, while the status of the truck driver remained unknown. Prange emphasized that the circumstances leading up to the incident were still under investigation and not yet fully understood. The blast occurred in an industrial area, separated from the neighborhood by a wide street and a rail line. Wilmington, located 18 miles south of downtown Los Angeles, is in close proximity to the bustling ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

The explosion was caused by pressurized cylinders on the truck catching fire, resulting in a devastating blast. The Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed that seven firefighters were injured, with two in critical condition. The incident left debris scattered across the street, highlighting the sheer force of the explosion. The truck, which was powered by compressed natural gas, had two 100-gallon tanks on board, one of which exploded.

Fire Capt. Erik Scott explained that the truck's propulsion system was unique, as it ran on compressed natural gas instead of traditional fuels like diesel or gasoline. The department dispatched a total of 10 firefighters to the scene, and the status of the truck driver remained unknown. Prange expressed hope that the driver had managed to escape the explosion unharmed. The blast occurred approximately 13 minutes after the fire was reported, adding to the mystery surrounding the incident.

The explosion took place in an industrial area near the Port of Los Angeles, just west of Long Beach. The area was cordoned off as emergency crews worked tirelessly to contain the situation and tend to the injured firefighters. With three firefighters already transported to the hospital, the department estimates that a total of seven firefighters were injured in the blast. The severity of the injuries sustained by the other four firefighters remains unknown at this time.

As the investigation into the incident continues, authorities are trying to determine the cause of the fire and the subsequent explosion. The Los Angeles Fire Department urged caution, emphasizing that this was a developing story and promising to provide further updates as more information becomes available.