Explosion at LA building sends 2 to hospital

LOS ANGELES (AP) – An explosion shook the basement area of a downtown Los Angeles high-rise late Thursday, sending two people to hospitals, authorities said.

The blast occurred shortly after 10 p.m. PDT at a 19-story building on Wilshire Boulevard, the Los Angeles Fire Department said.

Department spokesman Brian Humphrey said four people were assessed for injuries: a woman with head pain and a man with back pain were taken to hospitals, while one adult declined treatment and another just walked away.

A fire that broke out was quickly extinguished as more than 160 firefighters rushed to the scene, he said.

It wasn’t clear what caused the blast. Humphrey said a building generator is believed to have been involved, but the cause is under formal investigation.

The spokesman said the building apparently suffered structural damage.

Workers with the Department of Water and Power were dealing with water problems at the underground level, he said.

CNS reported that the blast caused a momentary power outage at Staples Center during a concert, according to arena officials.

New reports described the high-rise as a commercial building.