KTLA

L.A. fire captain hurt in explosion at homeless encampment

A firefighter was injured in a blast in the Manchester Square neighborhood on Jan. 23, 2024. (KTLA)

A captain with the Los Angeles Fire Department was injured in a blast while responding to an encampment fire in the Manchester Square neighborhood of Los Angeles Tuesday.

The incident occurred around 3 a.m. in the 7500 block of South Normandie Avenue.

The captain was battling a debris fire at the encampment in an abandoned pedestrian tunnel that crosses Normandie Avenue when a pressurized gas cylinder, possibly an oxygen tank, exploded, LAFD spokesperson Humphrey stated in a news alert.

The captain was taken to an area hospital for assessment and treatment after suffering what were described as non-life-threatening injuries.

No other injuries were reported in the incident.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.