L.A. County Firefighter Killed in Front-End Loader Explosion

By Bill Carey
30 June 2024

LOS ANGELES COUNTY, Calif. —A veteran firefighter was killed when part of a burning front-loader exploded during a fire at a Littlerock quarry on 14 June.

Firefighters responded to the quarry southeast of Palmdale for a report of a burning vehicle, the Los Angeles Daily News reported.

Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said a short time after crews arrived, an explosion occurred killing Firefighter Andrew Pontious and injuring a second firefighter.

The cause of the fire and the explosion are under investigation.

Photograph courtesy of the Los Angeles County Fire Department/Facebook.