At least eleven firefighters were injured on Saturday in an explosion during a fire in a Los Angeles shopping center, local officials said.
Los Angeles fire captain Erik Scott told reporters that the injured firefighters had been burned but the severity of their injuries was unknown.
230 firefighters mobilized
Firefighters were called for a fire in a one-story commercial building in the Little Tokyo neighborhood at 6.30 p.m. (3.30 a.m. French time) when "there was a major explosion that called for help from several firefighters potentially injured, "added Erik Scott.
About 230 firefighters continued to fight the flames that spread to several buildings. The one where the fire broke out housed a business selling tobacco and vaping products.
The explosion was such that several store fronts in the area were blackened. Thick smoke from the fire was visible for miles around. Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti said his services are closely monitoring the situation.
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