Fire Triggers Trio of Blasts; 2 Are Injured

GLENDALE —  An early-morning fire devoured a medical supply company building Saturday, injuring two firefighters and setting off a series of oxygen tank explosions, fire officials said.

The cause of the 5:52 a.m. fire at Continental Hospital Supply and Home Care is under investigation, officials said.

“It sounded like a bomb,” said Nicholas Chiarello, a neighbor who was awakened by three consecutive blasts about 6:15 a.m. The explosions were caused by pressurized gas tanks, which pumped oxygen into the fire and fanned the flames, fire officials said.

Eleven fire companies from the Glendale and Burbank fire departments were dispatched to the scene in the 1500 block of West Glenoaks Boulevard. The fire was brought under control by 8 a.m., witnesses said, but by that time most of the one-story building was destroyed and its roof had caved in.

Two firefighters were treated at Glendale Adventist Hospital for minor injuries, including a back injury and cuts to the hand, and released, officials said.

No damage estimate was available. Representatives of the supply company could not be reached for comment.

“A lot of people thought it was an earthquake at first,” said Chiarello, who joined a crowd of residents gathered outside after the explosions. “The house shook, and there were three big booms. The flames were at least 50 feet high.”