Firefighters injured in car explosion during fire battle in Shadow Hills

On Saturday afternoon, a car fire in the Shadow Hills neighborhood of the San Fernando Valley led to a significant incident involving the Los Angeles Fire Department. The fire was reported shortly before 2:30 p.m. at a residence on N. Wheatland Avenue. Firefighters arrived to find a coupe engulfed in flames, which contained excessive personal storage. As they worked to extinguish the fire, an explosion occurred, described by officials as a large fireball that erupted from the vehicle, injuring four firefighters and two civilians, including the car's driver. Initially, three firefighters were transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. A fourth firefighter was hospitalized later despite not showing any immediate injuries at the scene. The driver of the burning vehicle also sustained minor injuries, including burns to his arm and leg, and some singed facial hair. He was reported to be in fair condition after receiving medical attention. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation, with officials looking into the circumstances that led to the vehicle being on fire. The incident highlights the dangers firefighters face while responding to emergencies, particularly when dealing with vehicles that may contain flammable materials or excessive storage. In conclusion, this event serves as a reminder of the risks associated with firefighting and the unpredictable nature of fire-related incidents. The LAFD continues to assess the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available regarding the cause of the fire and the condition of the injured personnel.