Fire Recruit Hospitalized After Unexpected Explosion During Training

LONG BEACH, CA — One fire recruit was hospitalized and 11 other people were injured after an unexpected explosion occurred during a live fire training exercise Tuesday morning, according to a Twitter thread from the Long Beach Fire Department.

The training was located at 2249 Argonne Ave. in Long Beach where there was an explosion in the basement of the training tower that broke windows and caused minor damage to the structure.

"All personnel involved in the training evolution were evacuated from the structure and quickly accounted for," the Long Beach Fire Department said in a Tweet.

One recruit was taken to a local hospital for further evaluation of their injuries. The other people involved in the accident will receive further care from medical staff to address their injuries and complaints, according to LBFD.

"The incident remains under investigation by Long Beach Fire Investigators and other City Departments," LBFD said.

Fire Recruit training was suspended for the day and the training center was closed. Operations will resume when it is safe to do so, according to LBFD.