LITTLEROCK – A Los Angeles County firefighter was killed today when part of a burning front-loader exploded at a Littlerock quarry.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department did not immediately provide details of the blast, which occurred in the 7300 block of Pearblossom Highway. Video from the scene showed what appeared to be a large front-loader with flames still visible within it in. One of its tires later caught fire, but fire crews were keeping their distance from the vehicle, which was in an isolated dirt area and not presenting a danger of spreading flames to any other vehicles.
What appeared to be a flag-draped body was visible on a large pile of dirt nearby.
Reports from the scene indicated that crews initially responded to the quarry on a report of a vehicle fire.
KCAL9 reported from the scene that an ambulance was believed to have taken at least one other person to a hospital, but there was no immediate confirmation of any other injuries. A videographer at the scene reported that a second firefighter had also been killed, but that report was still unconfirmed Friday afternoon.
County fire officials said a news conference was being planned for late Friday afternoon outside Antelope Valley Medical Center.