Fire Truck Overturns Responding to LA Fire

The Los Angeles Fire Department said two firefighters suffered minor injuries on Tuesday, May 19, after a fire engine overturned while responding to a structure fire in Sunland. The crash was reported at about 6:45 p.m. near 10500 North McVine Avenue, just south of Foothill Boulevard, according to ABC7, which cited the department. LAFD said both firefighters were taken to a local hospital for evaluation, and no members of the public were injured. The Los Angeles Police Department is investigating what caused the crash. ### Where did the fire engine overturn? Sunland, a neighborhood in the northeastern San Fernando Valley, was the site of the crash Tuesday evening. ABC7 reported the fire engine overturned near McVine Avenue and Foothill Boulevard, while NBC Los Angeles said the truck rolled onto its side in front of a business in the 8200 block of Foothill Boulevard. Both reports showed the engine coming to rest against an H&R Block storefront. (lafd.org) Video cited by ABC7 showed the truck losing control and flipping over. NBC Los Angeles reported that the engine appeared to lean as it moved through an intersection before swerving toward the building and rolling onto its side. ### What do officials say happened? LAFD said the apparatus was involved in a vehicle accident while responding to a structure fire. (abc7.com) The department’s statement did not identify the firefighters and said their names were being withheld pending notification of their families. LAFD also said both firefighters were being evaluated by medical personnel at a local hospital. The department said no members of the public were injured in the accident. ABC7 likewise reported that no other injuries were immediately reported. ### How badly were the firefighters hurt? Two firefighters suffered what LAFD described as minor injuries. ABC7 reported that both were taken to a hospital for treatment, and footage from the scene showed one first responder on a stretcher being wheeled away after the collision. (lafd.org) LAFD said the firefighters’ identities would not be released until their families had been notified. (lafd.org) The department asked the media and public to respect the families’ privacy. ### What else was damaged at the scene? ABC7 reported that two parked cars were damaged and a third vehicle was pinned under the fire engine. (lafd.org) NBC Los Angeles also reported that the truck appeared to strike at least two parked vehicles before stopping partially on a sidewalk. Employees from a nearby Panda Express told ABC7 they had to evacuate. (lafd.org) As cleanup and the police investigation continued for hours, several businesses along Foothill Boulevard between McVine and Oro Vista avenues closed early, ABC7 reported. ### Who is investigating the crash? The Los Angeles Police Department is investigating the accident, LAFD said in its statement. (abc7.com) NBC Los Angeles reported that details about what led to the crash were not immediately available, and ABC7 said investigators were working to determine the cause. LAFD said it would provide further updates as more information becomes available. (abc7.com) The next public details are likely to come from the department or police as the investigation proceeds. (lafd.org)