K-12 Partner Saw May Have Sparked Fatal L.A. Explosion

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Firefighter used power saw before blast, witness says

Los Angeles Times

Thursday, March 27th 2008

Times staff writer Bob Pool contributed to this report.

Los Angeles Fire Department officials investigating Wednesday's fatal explosion in Westchester are looking into several possible causes, including whether a power saw being used by their personnel may have ignited the blast that killed one firefighter and critically injured another,

....Within minutes of his call, he said, a firefighter arrived and tried to open the door to the utility room, which was locked. Moments later an engine arrived with the two firefighters. They also tried without success to open the door. One went to the truck and returned with a yellow circular saw.

"As soon he turned it on and put it by the door, that was when the explosion occurred," said Mordi, who said it was immediately clear that the firefighter's injuries were significant. "It threw him almost six feet from where he was standing."

FULL STORY: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-ex...0,4853229.story