Los Angeles (City)-Major Emergency Underground Vault Explosion w/ LODD 3-26-08

[x635 4,066]

Date: 3-26-08

Time: 1357hrs PDT

Location:8800 S. Sepulveda Bvd, Manchester Avenue and La Tijera Boulevard, near LAX (City Of Los Angeles, CA).

Departments: LAFD,LAFD Air Operations, LAPD

Description: (Major Emergency Incident) Reported smoke coming from 2 story office building and manholes I/A/O, 8800 block of Sepulveda. Explosion reported as firefighters made entry to rear of building. 2 FF's injured, 1 airlifted to Daniel Freeman Hospital, where the FF succumed to his injuries, the other FF airlifted to UCLA Medical Center, in critical condition. 1 minor civilian injury reported.

Writer: x635

14:10 (APPROX): I/C reporting FF's down after an explosion. LAFD Air Os landing in a nearby intersection. Two firefighters reported to be injured.

15:30hrs: Apparent underground vault explosion still under investigation, awaiting word from LAFD on injured FF's conditon and extent of civiian injuries.

16:00hrs: Multiple media agencies reporting the 2 injured FF's in critical condition. Unk further.

17:00hrs: LAFD PIO & Hospital Spokesperson now reporting 1 FF deceased LODD at Daniel Freeman, 1 FF critical condition at UCLA Medical Center. Thoughts and prayers.

17:30hrs: Preliminary origin of incident believed to be in a utility vault of a Los Angeles City Water And Power Department Community Credit Union building on Sepulveda Blvd. LAFD Arson units, LAPD, and numerous agencies on scene investigating. Situation NOT under control, area remains evacuated.

LAFD OFFICIAL PRELIMINARY STATEMENT http://lafd.blogspot.com/2008/03/los-angel...ed-in-line.html

LAFD Official Coverage: http://lafd.blogspot.com

*Information compiled from LAFD PIO, LAFD, News Media, and personal sources. All information subject to change, this is currently a breaking incident as of time of writing.

Edited March 27, 2008 by x635