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4 Long Beach firefighters hurt in blaze at apartment that stored fireworks
Long Beach Jun 17, 2022
Flames ravage two apartments in Long Beach, injuring four firefighters, after fireworks stored in one of the units exploded. | Photo courtesy of Brody Fitzpatrick/Twitter
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Four firefighters suffered minor injuries Friday when fireworks exploded inside one of two apartments burning at a complex in the Belmont Shore area of Long Beach.
The blaze in the 3900 block of Allin Street was reported at 8:23 a.m., according to Long Beach Fire Department Capt. Jake Heflin.
The fire burned apartments on the second and third floor of the three-story building, Heflin said. While firefighters were battling the flames, a strong explosion blew out part of the second-floor apartment’s windows and scorched the apartment above it, he said.
Several smaller explosions then occurred, Heflin said.
Two firefighters were initially taken to a hospital with minor burns, Heflin said. A third firefighter was subsequently also transported for minor burns, and a fourth complaining of hearing damage from the blasts.
The fire displaced two people from the third-floor apartment. The second floor apartment where the fireworks were stored was vacant, Heflin said.
The flames were extinguished around 8:40 a.m., he said. An investigation into the fireworks was underway, he added.