Procession Held For Los Angeles County Firefighter Killed in Littlerock Explosion

Los Angeles County, June 15 (KNN) — A procession was underway late Friday night for fallen Los Angeles County firefighter Andrew Pontious who was killed in an explosion while battling a front-loader fire at a quarry in Littlerock, not far from the city of Palmdale.

The procession traveled from Littlerock to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office on North Mission Road in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of the city of Los Angeles.

The fatal incident occurred when LACoFD firefighters responded to the 6500 block of East Avenue T around 2 p.m. where a front-loader was on fire, according to initial information from sources.

At some point, there was an explosion. It is currently unclear what exactly exploded, but the blast killed Pontious and injured another firefighter at the scene who was rushed to Antelope Valley Medical Center.

The LACoFD said Pontious was a husband and a father. He was reported to be a 19-year veteran with the department.

The full procession video shows L.A. County Fire Department engines as well as law enforcement vehicles leaving Littlerock, through Santa Clarita at Golden Valley Road and Highway 14, and finally to the L.A. County Medical Examiner’s office in Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is handling the investigation. There are no further details at this time.

Austin Dave, Randy Dominguez, Keith Johnson, Video Journalists / KNN