Illegal Gas Line Caused Fatal LA Explosion

Authorities say a tampered gas line has been found at the scene of a commercial building explosion that killed two people in South Los Angeles.

Southern California Gas Co. spokeswoman Denise King says the meter was shut off and someone hooked up an illegal line that sent natural gas into the building at dangerously high pressure.

Leaking gas is suspected of igniting the blast at 6:15 a.m. Friday in a metal-fabricating firm.

Fire Capt. Stephen Ruda says the blast collapsed and shattered the front of the wooden building, hurling two workers into the street. Both died from their injuries.

One of the workers thrown into the street was wedged under a car and had to be freed by firefighters.

The building caught fire and 100 firefighters doused the blaze in about 25 minutes, fire spokesman Erik Scott said.

Daniel Ibarra, who works at the building, said he was taking out the trash when the blast hit. The 27-year-old man appeared in shock as he leaned against a wall with a bruised leg surveying the damage.

"I was very lucky," said Ibarra, whose thick black hair was singed on top.

Jonathan Apol, 20, a welder who works in a building next door, said he was putting on his work clothes when he heard the explosion.

"I thought it was like an earthquake or something," he said.

He heard a bang followed by two more a few seconds later. He went outside and saw two dazed men standing in front of a burning building.

Firefighters were making sure the wreckage was safe before a rescue team was brought in with dogs to search.

"They are shoring up any portions of the building that may be unsecured, ensuring that the beams aren't going to fall further," Scott said.

Natural gas apparently sparked the blast but the building also contained flammable oxygen and acetylene, he said.