Explosion Near LAX Kills Firefighter, Injures Another

A firefighter investigating reports of smoke coming from manhole covers was killed Wednesday when an explosion rocked a building near Los Angeles International Airport, authorities said.

[John Guz]

After the events of 9/11, I began to understand and appreciate firefighters.

To all those great men that put their lives on the line on a daily basis, I give you my complete support.

Whenever one of these great firefighter are killed in the line of duty, it is truly a tragedy that should bring the whole city together.

May God be with our lost brother and his family.

I pray the Lord will give you his Peace which surpasseth all understanding.

[bahm]

xcf!!!!!!!!!! she said pay me!!!!!!! never settle. rollin with teddy k!!!!!!!

[kbfromtheoc]

what about methane gas, isnt it naturally occurring in those areas?

[Sandy Stanton-Heckt]

Brent A Lovrien was a Special Man to his Mother Patricia A Lovrien and an awesome little Brother to Shenan Lovrien
His death has brought great sadness to The Lovrien Family..I have known Brent for his 35 yrs ..He was an awesome kid, full of humor and curiosity and was full of life, He was always "Fixing Something" He grew to be an amazing Man, His death is a heartbreaking Tragedy and He will live on forever in the minds of those who loved him,,He died the way He live,
A TRUE HERO..He died doing what he loved Being a LA City Firefighter..He gave his all..Rest in Peace Brent..for you have heard your last alarn, I will forever remember You and miss you....Sandy Heckt

[Petey]

"what about methane gas, isnt it naturally occurring in those areas?"

I think the methane gas occurs about 7 miles away in the Park Labrea Tar Pits area. Extends a radius of a few blocks.

[John Guz]

Governor Schwartzneggar may I need remind you that there were two firefighters that were injured.

You forgot to mention Anthony J. Guzman in your address.

After all Anthony was seriously injured.

But I guess this deserves no mention.

Get it right governor Arnie.

[Only in LA]

Officials Identify Cause Of Explosion That Killed Firefighter

"a confluence of events which have not happened in this city in nearly 20 years," said Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

I was expecting that I might avoid similar problems in my place of business, an so the headline gave me a sense of comfort, However the mayor's explanation "a confluence of events..." leaves me somewhat concerned as to what to avoid 20 years from now. Maybe the mayor knows what he is talking about?

[just_nosey]

it appears the FD wants to make this a electrical issue no matter what. the explosion occurred when firefighters were using a power saw to gain access to the utility room, the sparks from the material being cut ignited the accumulation of gases in the closet. the area has taken on an extensive street widening job that requires excavation around underground facilities. These facilities could have been disturbed and started to leak, fumes, gases etc. these fumes migrate thru the underground duct work and can accumulate in locations where the go to. The fact that electric service was not interrupted means the electrical system was not to blame just like the phone system and the natural gas. to press for an electrical issue is to not have knowledge of how electricity works. burnt insulation would allow the conductors to come together and cause a power outage. still no outage. give the power company a break and look at other posibilities.

[Shirley]

This does not explain anything!!! So what caused the combustion of the high voltage cables? What caused the explosion in the utility panel?
The headline is very misleading.

[just_nosey]

like the FD said from hour 1 it is the power companies fault. how many time have they said the brush fire was caused by powelines only to find out some kid playing with matches or fireworks that was the cause. 240 volt faults do not have enough power to blow manhole covers and still leave enough explosive gas to make an explosion of that magnitude and keep power working in the area, if i'm not mistaken transfomers have fuses that should have blown. but this is faster and eaiser problem solved

[A firefighter_s WIFE]

Hey, 'just nosey' if you listened to the first reports, the firefighters went in with 'limited information'. This investigation is far from over, and this is the information THEY are getting from the FBI, ATF and DWP. There are also forensic specialists being brought in from the east coast...so calm down there hotrod...