LA investigates after container explodes

The Los Angeles Fire Department said the container carrying scrap metal exploded due to an “unknown cause” and that no injuries were reported.

“No vehicle involvement or active flame” was the conclusion of the LA Fire Department, which stated that “LAFD HazMat specialists responded and had no significant findings.”

The explosion at the Evergreen Terminal involved one of ten dockside containers filled with scrap metal from local recycling yards that were being exported, said port spokesperson Phillip Sanford.

He stated that the damage was isolated to one container and no other terminals were affected with operations outside of Evergreen continuing as normal.

“The remaining containers were inspected by the Port Police and LAPD Hazmat Units and the LAPD Bomb Squad. It is being investigated as an industrial accident. There is no suspicion that this was of an intentional nature,” commented Mr Sanford.

Port Police Hazmat Units will conduct a follow up investigation to determine the cause of the incident, he confirmed.

“All additional information including cause determination will be determined by law enforcement,” said the LA Fire Department.