China News Agency, San Francisco, May 17: Los Angeles, California authorities said that an explosion occurred in downtown Los Angeles on the 16th, and 11 firefighters were injured by the fire.

  "Los Angeles Times" reported that the Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Eric Scott said that the fire department received a call at about 18:30 that day, a fire broke out in a building in the East Block of Boyd. Video released by local media showed that the building that was on fire was billowing thick smoke, which stretched for miles. San Jose ’s Mercury News reported that dozens of various rescue vehicles blocked the surrounding streets. The fire spread to several nearby buildings.

  Scott said that when the firefighters tried to find the source of the fire in the building, "a huge explosion occurred, and the rumbling sound could be heard throughout the area." The loud sound of the explosion was described as "cargo train or jet engine" , A huge flame erupted from the building. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that firefighters in the building passed a flame wall that was 30 feet in height and width, while the firefighters on the roof climbed down the ladder engulfed by the fire. The explosion blackened the fire trucks parked on the street, and some of the escaping firemen ripped off the ignited protective equipment and the melted helmet.

According to foreign media reports, the Los Angeles Fire Department said that at 6:36 pm local time on the 16th, a commercial center in downtown Los Angeles caught fire, the fire spread to many buildings, and an explosion occurred on the scene. During the fire fighting, 10 firefighters were injured. The picture shows the firefighters at the rescue site.

  Scott said 11 firefighters have been taken to the University of Southern California Medical Center for burn treatment. Mayor Eric Gasetti said that three firefighters were seriously injured but were not in danger of life.

  Scott said the fire was extinguished shortly after 20 o'clock and more than 240 firefighters participated in the rescue. At present, the cause of the accident has not been determined. Initial investigations at the site determined that the company in the building was Smoke Tokes, a distributor of butane honey oil (hemp oil). The Associated Press reported that butane is a flammable, odorless gas.

  The New York Times reported that California Governor Gavin Newsom said on social networks: "Thank you to the brave firefighters and emergency personnel who fought the fire tonight." (End)