Downtown Highrise Explosion Injures Four

A downtown high-rise was red-tagged today after an underground electric generator exploded, rupturing pipes, causing some flooding, and injuring a handful of people, authorities said.

Two people were hospitalized and two others suffered minor injuries from the explosion, which occurred at 811 Wilshire Blvd. at 10:17 p.m. Thursday, said Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Brian Humphrey.

Building inspectors red-tagged the structure because the explosion made its electrical and fire-safety systems inoperable, Humphrey said. The red tag designation means the building cannot be occupied, even though “We are told the building is structurally sound,” he said.

Joseph Ramallo of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power said 12 other buildings in the area, near the intersection of Wilshire and South Flower Avenue, also lost power. Crews hoped to restore electricity to those buildings by this some time afternoon, Ramallo said.

“The cause of the fire is under investigation,” Ramallo said. “However, initial inspections indicate extensive damage occurred to a LADWP on- site industrial power station, which provides power to the building.”

LADWP staff were at the scene to assess the damage, which included the pooling of a large volume of water on the building’s first sub-level as a result of ruptured pipes, Humphrey said.

Firefighters helped evacuate some occupants from the 19-story building, but no rescues were needed, Humphrey said.

A man and a woman were hospitalized for back pain and a headache, Humphrey said. Two other injured parties were checked at the scene but declined treatment, Humphrey said.

The explosion caused a momentary power outage at Staples Center, where a Shania Twain concert was underway, according to officials at the venue.

City News Service