MONTCLAIR, Calif. (KNX) — Four people were injured in a series of explosions Thursday at a metal recycling facility in Montclair. The incident prompted nearby schools to be placed on lockdown and for some nearby areas to be evacuated.
The incident occurred shortly after 9 a.m. at an industrial park in the 4200 block of Third Street, officials with the Los Angeles County Fire Department said.
A mandatory evacuation order was enacted shortly before 4:30 p.m. for some nearby areas due to “potentially dangerous” gases being released from the explosions.
The order was lifted several hours later with no injuries reported beyond those involved in the initial explosions at the plant. The conditions of those victims were not immediately reported. Two patients were transported to a nearby hospital by ambulance; the other two were transported by civilian vehicle, officials said.
Shrapnel from the explosion landed on roofs of nearby homes and onparked vehicles. Their cause was still under investigation as of Friday morning.