Firefighters responded to an underground explosion and fire Thursday night at a 19-story high-rise building in downtown Los Angeles on Aug. 20, 2015. (Credit: ANG News)
Posted 10:36 PM, August 20, 2015
by Kennedy Ryan
Firefighters responded to an underground explosion and fire Thursday night at a 19-story high-rise building in downtown Los Angeles.
The explosion was reported just after 10 p.m. in a building at the corner of Flower Street and West Wilshire Boulevard, according to Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Brian Humphrey.
Firefighters had the blaze out quickly, but the building at 811 Wilshire Blvd. suffered “significant structural and water damage,” Humphrey said.
At least four people suffered minor injuries. Authorities had initially indicated that five people were hurt.
The cause of the blast was still under investigation, but Humphrey stated it was believed to involve a building generator.
The blast knocked out power for several minutes at a Shania Twain concert at nearby Staples Center.