BELL GARDENS (CNS) – The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Arson Explosives Detail Wednesday was investigating a fiery explosion at an apartment complex in Bell Gardens that critically injured two people, one of them a child.
Los Angeles County Fire Department fire crews were called at 6:08 p.m. Tuesday to the 6500 block of Purdy Avenue, south of East Gage Avenue, where they encountered heavy flames at the two-story complex following the explosion, a department spokeswoman told City News Service.
Firefighters extinguished the flames shortly before 7:10 p.m. Tuesday. The second floor of the complex appeared to have significant damage, with a large section of the front missing and parts of the roof collapsed, video from the scene showed.
The child and the adult victim were taken to a hospital. The child was in stable condition and the adult was critical, according to the fire department.
A resident told reporters at the scene the adult was a man who appeared to be badly burned.
Four to six families from the complex were displaced by the fire and the Red Cross was contacted to assist them with temporary housing, officials said.
It took around 60 firefighters an hour to put out the fire, which could be seen from several blocks away.
Emilio Guerrero, who lives in the area, said he saw “a big ball of fire” subsequent to the explosion.
“The investigation is ongoing and there are no further details,” according to the sheriff’s department.
Anyone with information about the explosion was urged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Arson Explosives Detail at 323-881- 7500. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at lacrimestoppers.org
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