4 Long Beach firefighters injured in fire where fireworks were stored

LONG BEACH, Calif. - Four firefighters suffered minor injuries Friday when fireworks exploded inside one of two apartments burning at a complex in the Belmont Shore area of Long Beach.

The blaze in the 3900 block of Allin Street was reported at 8:23 a.m., according to Long Beach Fire Department Capt. Jake Heflin.

The fire burned apartments on the second and third floor of the three-story building, Heflin said. While firefighters were battling the flames, a strong explosion blew out part of the second-floor apartment's windows and scorched the apartment above it, he said.

Several smaller explosions then occurred, Heflin said.

Two firefighters were initially taken to a hospital with minor burns, Heflin said. A third firefighter was subsequently also transported for minor burns, and a fourth complaining of hearing damage from the blasts.

The fire displaced two people from the third-floor apartment. The second floor apartment where the fireworks were stored was vacant, Heflin said.

The flames were extinguished around 8:40 a.m., he said. An investigation into the fireworks was underway, he added.