Explosion, fire at L.A.-area commercial building injures several

LA HABRA, Calif. - Eight people were hurt, three critically, in an explosion and fire Tuesday at a commercial building in suburban Los Angeles, authorities said.

Occupants of a neighboring building reported the blast shortly before 10 a.m. in La Habra, Los Angeles County Fire Inspector Kesith Mora said.

Arriving firefighters found flames showing from the building, he said. The fire was contained in about a half-hour.

The people who were hurt were transported to hospitals with unknown injuries.

The building in a commercial district houses a metal plating and polishing firm. A phone message left at the business was not immediately returned.

The cause of the blast was under investigation.

La Habra is a suburb on the border of Orange and Los Angeles counties about 20 miles (32 kilometers) southeast of downtown Los Angeles.