A major gas explosion leveled a welding business in South Los Angeles. (KTLA-TV / July 30, 2010) |
SOUTH LOS ANGELES -- One worker was killed when a suspected natural gas explosion leveled a welding business in South Los Angeles. A second man is in critical condition and a third person may be missing inside the structure.
The explosion hurled one worker into the street, pinning him under a car. He had to be freed by firefighters, and is listed in critical condition at a nearby hospital.
Another victim was electrocuted after he went to move his truck after the explosion and didn't see a downed power line, according to fire officials. Once he touched the truck, 34,500 volts of electricity entered his body, L.A. City Fire Captain Steve Ruda said. The approximately 35 year old Hispanic man was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
The cause of the blast remains under investigation, but Ruda said it was suspected that natural gas or an industrial gas may have been leaking and collected overnight in the building then ignited when operations resumed Friday morning.
The gas meter at the building showed illegal tampering, Southern California Gas Co. spokesman Dennis Lord said.
"Bypassing the gas meter put higher-than-normal pressure into the building," Lord said.
The explosion was reported around 6:12 a.m. Friday in the 900 block of East 59th Street.
Investigators say the tampering likely occurred sometime in the 24 hours before the explosion, and possibly right before the deadly rupture.
The roof of the two story wooden building turned the front of the structure into matchsticks. The building caught fire, but 100 firefighters were able to douse the flames in about 25 minutes, according to fire spokesman Eric Scott.
Firefighters described the twisted metal as 'catastrophic' damage and said there are concerns that there could be a secondary collapse.
"They are shoring up any portions of the building that may be unsecured, ensuring that the beams aren't going to fall further," Scott said.
Firefighters entered the building despite the fact that it was not safe to be inside to search for a possible third victim. Crews used search dogs during a detailed search of the building but found no one else inside.
The business, J.L. Spary, has four employees and makes metal security fences, doors, windows and gates.
The explosion hurled one worker into the street, pinning him under a car. He had to be freed by firefighters, and is listed in critical condition at a nearby hospital.
Another victim was electrocuted after he went to move his truck after the explosion and didn't see a downed power line, according to fire officials. Once he touched the truck, 34,500 volts of electricity entered his body, L.A. City Fire Captain Steve Ruda said. The approximately 35 year old Hispanic man was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
The cause of the blast remains under investigation, but Ruda said it was suspected that natural gas or an industrial gas may have been leaking and collected overnight in the building then ignited when operations resumed Friday morning.
The gas meter at the building showed illegal tampering, Southern California Gas Co. spokesman Dennis Lord said.
"Bypassing the gas meter put higher-than-normal pressure into the building," Lord said.
The explosion was reported around 6:12 a.m. Friday in the 900 block of East 59th Street.
Investigators say the tampering likely occurred sometime in the 24 hours before the explosion, and possibly right before the deadly rupture.
The roof of the two story wooden building turned the front of the structure into matchsticks. The building caught fire, but 100 firefighters were able to douse the flames in about 25 minutes, according to fire spokesman Eric Scott.
Firefighters described the twisted metal as 'catastrophic' damage and said there are concerns that there could be a secondary collapse.
"They are shoring up any portions of the building that may be unsecured, ensuring that the beams aren't going to fall further," Scott said.
Firefighters entered the building despite the fact that it was not safe to be inside to search for a possible third victim. Crews used search dogs during a detailed search of the building but found no one else inside.
The business, J.L. Spary, has four employees and makes metal security fences, doors, windows and gates.
