'10 firefighters hurt' in downtown Los Angeles fire

[txradioguy]

More than 230 firefighters are tackling a large blaze that has spread to several buildings following reports of an explosion in downtown Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles Fire Department tweeted that up to 10 firefighters were "down" after the blast, but gave no further details on their conditions at this stage.

https://news.sky.com/story/10-firefighters-hurt-in-downtown-los-angeles-fire-11989680

[Smokin Joe]

Eleven injured at last report...https://t.co/YS0F7s3Q7E?amp=1

[PeteS in CA]

https://www.chicagotribune.com/nation-world/ct-nw-los-angeles-firefighters-explosion-20200517-rs6gsqasifa5tpmxm45uifasme-story.html

11 Los Angeles firefighters hurt while running from explosion at hash oil manufacturer
By STEFANIE DAZIO AND FRANK BAKER, ASSOCIATED PRESS |
MAY 17, 2020 | 7:48 AM | LOS ANGELES

Firefighters were called to 327 East Boyd St. in the city’s Toy District for a report of a fire at a one-story commercial building. There was light to moderate smoke when firefighters entered the building and went on the roof, normal procedures to try to quickly knock down any flames.

Los Angeles Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas said one of the firefighters inside the building thought things didn't seem right — the pressure from the smoke and heat coming from the rear of the building were increasing. He directed everyone to get out, and as they quickly started exiting the building as it was rocked by the explosion.

Firefighters on the roof scrambled down ladders with their protective coats on fire. The wall of flames shot out the building and burned seats inside a fire truck across the street.
...
Scott said the building was a warehouse for SmokeTokes, which he described as a maker of “butane honey oil." Butane is an odorless gas that easily ignites, and it's used in the process to extract the high-inducing chemical THC from cannabis to create a highly potent concentrate also known as hash oil. The oil is used in vape pens, edibles, waxes and other products.

I wonder if the company had informed local authorities about the kinds of chemicals they were using and storing onsite.

[txradioguy]

https://www.chicagotribune.com/nation-world/ct-nw-los-angeles-firefighters-explosion-20200517-rs6gsqasifa5tpmxm45uifasme-story.html

11 Los Angeles firefighters hurt while running from explosion at hash oil manufacturer
By STEFANIE DAZIO AND FRANK BAKER, ASSOCIATED PRESS |
MAY 17, 2020 | 7:48 AM | LOS ANGELES
I wonder if the company had informed local authorities about the kinds of chemicals they were using and storing onsite.

I'm gonna make a WAG and say no.

[Smokin Joe]

I'm gonna make a WAG and say no.

Those flames were multiples (guessing 10X) of the building height, and appeared really light yellow to white (HOT!). Not normal unless the contents are really good fuel.
Whoever was inside and made the call to get out did the right thing. Prayers up for all the injured and their families (including the Brothers and Sisters in turnout gear).

[txradioguy]

Those flames were multiples (guessing 10X) of the building height, and appeared really light yellow to white (HOT!). Not normal unless the contents are really good fuel.
Whoever was inside and made the call to get out did the right thing. Prayers up for all the injured and their families (including the Brothers and Sisters in turnout gear).

Looks like it was a pot grow house or warehouse that caught fire.

Scott said the building was a warehouse for SmokeTokes, which he described as a maker of “butane honey oil." Butane is an odorless gas that easily ignites, and it's used in the process to extract the high-inducing chemical THC from cannabis to create a highly potent concentrate also known as hash oil. The oil is used in vape pens, edibles, waxes and other products.

[Smokin Joe]

Looks like it was a pot grow house or warehouse that caught fire.

Sounds like a it may have been a processing plant for hash oil or wax, which would imply the presence of organic solvents--notoriously inflammable--likely in bulk. Stored materials and product would, if I am correct, go up like a roman candle, especially as carboys or drums lost integrity.

There was also mention of numerous small CO2 cylinders "raining down" from the explosion, and while CO2 would hamper a fire, the bursting cylinders might aerosolize materials and would distribute them vertically and laterally during the conflagration contributing to the intensity of the fire. At the very least, it would be a real pain trying to work a hose line standing on a bunch of them. I wonder what hazmat designations were around the premises?

Without knowing the contents and what was actually done there, all else is speculation.

[IsailedawayfromFR]

Looks like instead of chasing down citizens not wearing masks in public, Los Angeles authorities should have concentrated on identifying public safety issues such as locations of dangerous plants in the city.

More likely to save lives.

[catfish1957]

Another example of how Cannabis is not harmful.  /s

[PeteS in CA]

Another example of how Cannabis is not harmful.  /s

Why anyone thought people willing to disobey drug laws would suddenly obey regulations after their recreational-chemical-of-choice was legalized eludes me.

[PeteS in CA]

https://justthenews.com/nation/butane-gas-canisters-found-site-la-fire-hash-oil-factory

Los Angeles explosion injuring 11 firefighters being investigated amid finding of butane canisters
By Sophie Mann
Last Updated: May 18, 2020 - 10:29am

The weekend explosion in downtown Los Angeles that injured 11 firefighters is being investigated amid the nearby discovery of canisters of butane, a highly flammable gas.
...
Liquid butane is used to produce hash oil by passing it through a cannabis plant, effectively extracting the high-inducing hydrophobic compounds (THC), which are then run through a filter to create the final product. Hash oil, sometimes referred to as “dabs,” “honeycomb,” and “wax,” is a highly potent form of cannabis. The oil is also sometimes used in vape pens and edibles.

If I understand such things correctly, this facility was not producing CBD oil.

[txradioguy]

Why anyone thought people willing to disobey drug laws would suddenly obey regulations after their recreational-chemical-of-choice was legalized eludes me.

Same reasons the same people think that if you ban all guns...gun violence will disappear.