Four firefighters and one civilian were injured Wednesday while crews battled a house fire in the Silver Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
The fire was reported at about 10:48 a.m. at a single-family home in the 2600 block of North Lakewood Avenue. When the first crews arrived, they found flames coming from the structure and reports of a possible gas leak, LAFD said.
A small explosion was also reported after what appeared to be a freon leak in the home’s basement, according to NBC Los Angeles. Freon is commonly used in air conditioning systems and refrigerators.
Four injured firefighters and one other person were among the 5 patients reported at the scene. Three people were taken to hospitals, with another transport expected, according to LAFD.
The firefighters were treated for injuries including a concussion-type injury, minor burns and inflammation. The homeowner and an air conditioning technician who was servicing the air conditioner were treated at the scene.
Fire crews operated in an offensive mode and quickly brought the fire under control. Arson investigators were requested to respond to the scene.
LAFD said the cause of the fire and the circumstances surrounding the injuries had not been confirmed.