A firefighter from Los Angeles County died and another was injured on Friday while responding to a vehicle fire at a quarry near Littlerock, a desert community north of Los Angeles, according to authorities.
The incident happened shortly after the firefighting crew arrived at the quarry around 2:10 p.m. An explosion occurred, resulting in the death of a 19-year veteran firefighter based in Palmdale, said L.A. County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone.
Marrone noted he hadn’t visited the explosion site and was unsure about how the fire started in the front end loader or what caused the explosion. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s office will conduct an investigation, he added.
Television footage showed the front loader engulfed in flames, emitting thick black smoke into the sky.
Marrone requested that everyone respect the firefighters’ need for space as they cope with the loss.
Investigators and firefighters remain on the scene after an explosion (Via Jake Simmons/Shutterstock)
A second firefighter who was near the blast was taken to Antelope Valley Medical Center but did not sustain serious injuries and was expected to be discharged later on Friday, Marrone confirmed.
The name of the deceased firefighter will be released after his wife and children have been notified, Marrone said.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, whose district includes Littlerock, expressed her sadness upon hearing of the firefighter’s death in the line of duty.
“It’s a stark reminder of the risks our first responders confront every day,” she said in a statement. “We must offer them unwavering support as they grapple with this tragedy.”
