Two Killed In Los Angeles Building 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 that hurled a worker into the street, killing him.
Fire Capt. Stephen Ruda says a second man died when he tried to move his truck and was electrocuted by a downed power line.
The blast collapsed and shattered the front of the wooden building. Ruda says dogs searched the building in case someone was trapped inside but found nothing.