Overview
- Firefighters say crews were dispatched around 3:20 p.m. Tuesday to the 14000 block of Van Nuys Boulevard after a blast at a street construction location.
- The Los Angeles Fire Department reported four people were injured and treated by paramedics on scene.
- Local outlets conflict on patient transports: some reports say two victims were taken to hospitals while two declined transport, and another report says all four were taken to hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.
- LAFD, LAPD, LADOT, LADWP and the local gas company worked at the scene to secure the area, check utilities and advise drivers to avoid the stretch of Van Nuys Boulevard.
- Officials suspect a welding-related natural gas ignition and have opened an investigation; crews say debris and traffic impacts remain while authorities complete hazard and forensics checks.