Hollywood Restaurant Explosion Still A Mystery

HOLLYWOOD, CA — A cleanup effort continued in Hollywood Thursday following a gas explosion that rocked a fortuitously vacant restaurant and sent shattered glass raining onto sidewalks in the popular tourism district.

The explosion, which occurred at 7:31 p.m. Wednesday at the Tinhorn Flats Saloon and Grill in the 1700 block of Highland Avenue, resulted in only minor injures to one person. County records show the restaurant was shut down for health violations in mid-October. It was listed as reopening later that month, although it was unclear if it ever resumed operating. The Eater Los Angeles website reported in October the restaurant's owner was looking for a new investor or possibly preparing to sell the eatery.

Some residential units above the restaurant were evacuated following the explosion and the building was yellow-tagged, meaning only limited access was being permitted. By 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, however, residents were allowed back inside.

One person was evaluated for minor injuries at the scene, but she chose to leave the scene without being transported to a hospital, said Margaret Stewart of the Los Angeles Fire Department.

"The one patient initially assessed on scene was believed to have been a bystander lacking adequate footwear, resulting in some minor abrasions," Stewart said.

Hazardous materials and urban search and rescue crews were dispatched to the scene of the seven-story building, Stewart said.

The gas was turned off and readings were taken as crews searched all residential floors to ensure no one remained in a hazardous environment, Stewart said.

Workers spent Thursday morning sweeping shattered glass from the sidewalks, and an investigation was continuing into what caused set off the explosion.

City News Service; Photo Shutterstock.