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Los Angeles, May 17 (IANS): 11 firefighters were injured by an explosion in downtown Los Angeles, leaving several buildings on fire, the Los Angeles Fire Department said.
The fire inside a one-storey commercial building was reported at 6.26 pm on Saturday, Xinhua news agency quoted the Department as saying.
"Over 230 firefighters are responding. Firefighters have moved to a defensive posture for fire attack, and a medical branch has been created for treating and transporting injured firefighters," it said in a fire update later.
TV footage showed raging flames and black smoke.
Officials said that three of the injured firefighters were in critical, but not life-threatening, condition.
The business at the building, called Smoke Tokes Warehouse Distributor, is "a supplier for those who make butane honey oil", according to officials.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
"My thoughts are with our brave @LAFD firefighters. Closely tracking this situation as we continue to get more information," Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti tweeted.
The conditions of the injured firefighters were still unknown.
"My thoughts are with our brave @LAFD firefighters. Closely tracking this situation as we continue to get more information," Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti tweeted.