11 Los Angeles firefighters injured in downtown explosion

LOS ANGELES — Eleven firefighters were injured, two critically, when an explosion erupted during a fire Saturday downtown, the Los Angeles Fire Department said.

“Firefighters have moved to a defensive posture for fire attack, and a medical branch has been created for treating and transporting injured firefighters,” the LAFD said in a statement.

The department initially said about 10 firefighters were down after an explosion at a one-story commercial building in the Toy District. More than 230 firefighters were at the scene, it said.

A senior LAFD official later said 11 firefighters were injured. At least some were burned, the LAFD said in an update.

An initial assessment found the business might be a wholesaler of products used to make concentrated cannabis products, a process that usually requires the use of highly flammable butane.

“The occupancy was doing business as Smoke Tokes Wholesale Distributor, reportedly a supplier for those who make butane honey oil,” the LAFD said.

The area also includes multiple vape supply stores that sell vitamin E acetate. The address was listed in a 2018 fictitious business name statement as “Smoke Place.”

“My thoughts are with our brave @LAFD firefighters,” Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti tweeted Saturday evening. “Closely tracking this situation as we continue to get more information.”

Gov. Gavin Newsom said on Twitter, “Grateful for the brave firefighters and first responders on the scene battling these flames tonight.”

The first report of a fire was recorded at 6:26 p.m., according to the department.

After firefighters arrived, an explosion was reported, a “mayday” call went out and the blaze might have spread to “multiple buildings,” according to a subsequent LAFD statement.

Pamela Sisson, 43, was on her way to her home in the nearby Arts District when she spotted the fire and used her cellphone to capture video.

“It started to feel a little bit dangerous because ash was coming down,” she said. “It was becoming increasingly dangerous to stay anywhere near there.”

The blaze was put out in less than two hours, the department said. The cause of the fire was under investigation.

Andrew Blankstein reported from Los Angeles and Dennis Romero from San Diego.

Andrew Blankstein is an investigative reporter for NBC News. He covers the Western United States, specializing in crime, courts and homeland security.