Massive Explosion in Downtown LA Leaves 10 Buildings on Fire, Multiple Firefighters Down

UPDATE 12:53am EST: The blaze has since been extinguished and there is an active investigation into what may have been the cause. At least 11 firefighters were injured.

Over 230 firefighters responded to the scene where multiple buildings had caught fire.

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An explosion in Los Angeles has led to ten buildings being set on fire, according to local media.

At least ten firefighters have reportedly been injured.

BREAKING: At least 10 firefighters "down," multiple buildings on fire after explosion in downtown Los Angeles pic.twitter.com/C23f6ausYq

— BNO News (@BNONews) May 17, 2020

Massive explosion in DTLA. 10 firefighters possibly injured. A witness shot this video and said debris was raining from the sky @NBCLA pic.twitter.com/LtzQpEqH37

— Darsha Philips (@DarshaPhilips) May 17, 2020

“Major smoke screen, ash is raining for blocks,” tweeted BuzzFeed reporter Sean Miura.

Major fire in Little Tokyo/downtown Los Angeles at San Pedro and Third. Dangerously close to Skid Row residents, senior and low income housing. Major smoke screen, ash is raining for blocks. pic.twitter.com/s4coh3xbgq

— sean miura (@seanmiura) May 17, 2020

The cause of the fire was unknown at press time, but reports indicated that at least ten buildings were on fire.

Breaking: Multiple buildings are now on fire in Downtown Los Angeles, California. The LAFD says that approximately 10 firefighters are ‘down’ and has declared the fire as a major emergency. 230 firefighters are on the scene. pic.twitter.com/0lKsfyC2QD

— PM Breaking News (@PMBreakingNews) May 17, 2020