An explosion in downtown Los Angeles has injured 10 firefighters, with dozens more working to douse the blaze.
The LA fire department issued a “mayday” call on Saturday evening and characterised the blaze as a “major emergency” with more than 230 firefighters responding.
“A medical branch has been created for treating and transporting injured firefighters,” the LAFD said.
The condition of the injured was not immediately known. News helicopters showed dozens of fire trucks at the scene.
As firefighters aimed hoses at the long-slung building where the explosion occurred, others could be seen standing next to gurneys that had been readied for the injured.
Firefighters were initially called to a fire at a single-storey building around 6.30pm. Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Nicholas Prange said the firefighters entered the building, and there was nothing unusual until the explosion occurred.
By about 7:15 p.m. the fire appeared largely under control. It was not immediately known what type of business was in the building or what caused the explosion.
