LA County Firefighter Dies in Explosion
A Los Angeles County firefighter has died following an explosion, according to the department. The incident is currently under investigation to determine the cause and circumstances of the fatal event. No further details have been released pending the ongoing investigation.
- The deceased was identified as Andrew Pontious, a 52-year-old, 19-year veteran of the department. - The incident occurred on June 14, 2024, at a rock quarry in the Antelope Valley near Palmdale while crews responded to a burning, very large articulated front-loader. - A subsequent investigation revealed that the explosion was caused by one of the nearly 7-foot tires on the construction vehicle, a rare and not widely known danger to firefighters. - The force of the tire explosion was compared to an improvised explosive device (IED) and sent debris flying up to 350 feet. - Pontious was positioned near the left-rear tire when it exploded; another firefighter on the other side of the vehicle was shielded from the blast and sustained only minor injuries. - In response to the incident, the L.A. County Fire Department issued a safety notice advising firefighters to maintain a significant distance from burning heavy-equipment vehicles. - The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's homicide and arson investigators are conducting a death investigation into the explosion. - Andrew Pontious was married with a stepdaughter and had planned to retire next year; his brother is a retired L.A. County Fire Captain who also worked at the same Palmdale station.
