A tragic incident occurred in Littlerock, Calif., where a Los Angeles County firefighter lost their life on Friday due to an explosion involving a burning front-loader at a quarry.
Details surrounding the blast were not immediately disclosed by the Los Angeles County Fire Department. The incident took place in the 7300 block of Pearblossom Highway, located southeast of Palmdale.
Emergency crews responded to reports of a burning vehicle at the quarry around 2 p.m., which was later identified as the front-loader. It is unclear what transpired next, but reports from the scene indicated that a part of the vehicle or one of its large tires exploded, resulting in the death of the firefighter and potentially injuring another individual.
As the day progressed, the front-loader continued to burn, emitting thick black smoke into the air. Firefighters maintained a safe distance from the equipment, situated in an isolated dirt area that posed no threat of spreading fire to other vehicles.
A flag-draped body was visible on a mound of dirt nearby, indicating the tragic loss of life in the line of duty.
Reports from KCAL9 mentioned that at least one person was transported to a hospital via ambulance, although there was no immediate confirmation of additional injuries.
Related Stories
County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone and firefighters union Local 1014 President Dave Gillotte were scheduled to conduct a press conference in the early evening outside Antelope Valley Medical Center to address the tragic loss of the firefighter.
