An apartment building in the North Hollywood area was evacuated Wednesday after multiple “bug bombs” apparently caused an explosion that damaged three units, authorities said.
Firefighters went to the 6400 bock of North Denny Avenue about 10:15 a.m. on a report of an explosion, said Margaret Stewart of the Los Angeles Fire Department.
No injuries were reported, but a Los Angeles police officer who responded to the scene was taken to a hospital in fair condition for treatment of a “medical complaint, likely respiratory irritation,” Stewart said.
An LAFD hazardous materials squad “used sensitive odor detection equipment and found no existing life hazard in the structure,” she said, adding that an Urban Search and Rescue team was summoned to evaluate the structural integrity of the building.
“While there does not appear to be any significant damage to the building as a whole … they are `yellow-tagging’ the two-story apartment building — denying entry — while awaiting L.A. Building and Safety for their complete evaluation and determination,” Stewart said.
Damage included blown-out windows, stucco buckling and doors knocked off their hinges, Stewart said.