A Los Angeles firefighter who was seriously injured in an explosion while battling a wildfire has been released from the hospital and returned to his family, authorities said Tuesday.
The firefighter was taken by helicopter to Northridge Hospital in stable condition and released to friends and family, Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Eric Scott said. Scott said the firefighter’s “injuries are so severe that he will require prolonged medical treatment.”
Firefighters responded to a brush fire at a homeless camp near Burbank Boulevard and Woodley Avenue on Monday afternoon, said Los Angeles Fire Department spokeswoman Melissa Kelly. An explosion occurred, and 10 other firefighters near the blast suffered headaches, ringing in the ears and possible shrapnel wounds. Most were examined at hospitals and released without serious injuries, but one was seriously injured.
Los Angeles Police Officer Kevin Terzes said the explosion was caused by a propane tank.
Kelly said the blaze was under control in about 30 minutes and about 80 firefighters were battling it.
The fire department’s arson unit was on the scene Tuesday, combing through the wreckage, examining burn patterns and interviewing witnesses to try to determine the cause of the fire, Scott said. The investigation is ongoing, and firefighters “discovered several suspicious items” and are working closely with the LAPD and the explosives unit.
No civilians were injured in the fire or explosion.
“Things continue to change, but these are some of the inherent hazards of the firefighter profession,” Scott said. “We’re used to structure explosions, garage fires, ammunition explosions, but that’s not typically the case with wildfires.”