KTLA

Temecula propane explosion injures 12 firefighters, 1 civilian

Thirteen people were hurt when a propane tank exploded on Aug. 16, 2021. (CAL FIRE and Riverside County Fire Department)

An explosion in Temecula sent 12 firefighters and a civilian to the hospital on Monday morning, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.

The firefighters were responding to reports of a commercial trash truck on fire around 10:30 a.m. near Rancho California and Butterfield Stage roads, when a liquid propane tank in the truck exploded, the department said.

The injured firefighters were taken to three different hospitals for evaluation and the civilian was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital for minor injuries.

The firefighters were treated for symptoms ranging from headaches to ringing in their ears. They were released later Monday, and they were cleared to return to work on Tuesday, according to a tweet from the Fire Department.

Two Fire Department vehicles and a civilian’s car were damaged as well, officials added.

The fire was eventually contained by 2 p.m., the department said.