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Explosion Shakes Los Angeles High-Rise, Two Hospitalized

The explosion happened around 10:10 p.m.in a 19-story commercial building in the 800 block of West Wilshire Boulevard near Flower Street.

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Authorities said they believe the explosion may have involved the building’s generator.

Four adults suffered non-life threating injuries, said Los Angeles Fire Department spokesperson Brian Humphrey.

Firefighters explained the building has been “red-tagged” as being temporarily unfit for occupancy by the Department of Building & Safety. The cause is under investigation. The department hopes to restore power by the afternoon.

Although there was widespread damage, fears about the structural integrity of the building were “unfounded”, according to LAFD.

CNS reported that the blast caused a momentary power outage at Staples Center during a concert, according to arena officials.

LADWP staff were at the scene to assess the damage, which included the pooling of a large volume of water on the building’s first sub-level as a result of ruptured pipes, Humphrey said.

A woman with head pain and a man with back pain were taken to hospitals, while two others checked at the scene declined treatment, Humphrey said.

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He says a fire that broke out was quickly extinguished.

Explosion at LA building injures sends 2 to hospital