A gas-related explosion tore through a Westlake apartment Wednesday, severely injuring one man and prompting an evacuation.
Firefighters responded around 2:20 p.m. to the 1300 block of West Fourth Street following reports of smoke coming from an attic, according to Los Angeles Fire Department spokeswoman Margaret Stewart.
Crews found damage to a second-floor unit but no visible flames, prompting a more detailed inspection of the building, Stewart said.
After the smoke cleared, firefighters confirmed there were no active flames in the attic or the affected unit, according to Stewart. As a precaution, the building was evacuated.
Paramedics located a man with severe injuries and transported him to a hospital for treatment, according to the department.
“Crews have shut down utilities to the building and are working to determine the source of the explosion,” Stewart said.
An inspector from Los Angeles Building and Safety was called to evaluate whether the structure was safe for reentry.