Flames Engulf Garage with Potential for Explosions, 3 Injured

Sunland, Los Angeles, CA: The Los Angeles City Fire Department was at the scene of a structure fire Tuesday night that injured three people and required additional resources due to existing potential hazards.

LAFD responded to a structure fire just after 9:15 p.m., Jan. 24, on the 10300 block of North Sherman Grove Avenue in the Sunland community of Los Angeles.

Firefighters arrived to find a one-story single family dwelling with fire showing from an attached garage – possibly threatening another structure – with propane canisters on site and a 16-year-old in need of medical attention who was transported immediately to a hospital in serious condition, according to LAFD.

Captain Cody Weireter, Public Information Officer with the Los Angeles City Fie Department told Key News Network at the scene that one patient was extricated from the danger area and was immediately treated by paramedics on scene.

Firefighters fought the flames aggressively and began to make their way into the interior.

One home adjacent to the structure started to catch fire and that structure was immediately attacked by firefighters. They were able to contain the flames to the attic portion, according to Weireter.

A total of three people at the scene were treated by paramedics; one adult male and a 16-year-old male were both transported to a local hospital, and one adult female approximately 20 years old, was treated and released at the scene, reported Weireter.

Knockdown was achieved in approximately 43 minutes with 77 firefighters on scene.

Weireter said it was a “complex incident” because there were signs upon arrival that there was a potential for an explosion at some point.

The Los Angeles Police Department, LAPD Hazmat and Bomb Squad were all due to arrive at the location to conduct a thorough investigation. LAFD was not able to identify the existing potential hazards because it was too dangerous for firefighters to make re-entry into the home, according to Weireter.

Weireter said there was no real threat to nearby residents.

A street closure was in place until firefighters completed their work at the scene. The incident was confined to the home and no evacuations were anticipated.

Keith Johnson, Video Journalist / KNN