Firefighter killed in explosion while battling front loader fire in Southern California

LITTLEROCK, Calif. (AP) — A Los Angeles County firefighter was killed and another injured Friday when he was called to a vehicle fire at a quarry in a desert community north of Los Angeles, authorities said.

Shortly after a fire crew arrived at the quarry in Littlerock at about 2:10 p.m., an explosion occurred, killing the 19-year firefighter, who was stationed in the nearby city of Palmdale, said Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone.

Marrone was not at the scene of the explosion and did not know how the fire started in the front-end loader or what exploded. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office will launch an investigation, he said.

Television images from the scene of the accident showed the front loader burning and sending thick, black smoke into the air.

“I have asked everyone to give our firefighters the space they need to process our profound loss,” Marrone said.

A second firefighter who was near the explosion was taken to Antelope Valley Medical Center but did not suffer serious injuries and will be released later Friday, he said.

The name of the deceased firefighter will be released once his wife and children have been notified, Marrone said.

Los Angeles County Councilwoman Kathryn Barger, whose district includes the Littlerock area, said the news that a firefighter had lost his life in the line of duty was heartbreaking.

“It is a sobering reminder of the dangers our first responders face every day,” she said in a statement. “We owe them our unwavering support as they grapple with this loss.”