Building Explosion Rocks South Los Angeles, Kills 1

div itemprop="articleBody" class="article">Los Angeles, CAAt least one person has been killed in an explosion in south Los Angeles this morning. The incident occurred in a commercial building that houses a welding operation. Officials suspect the explosion was caused by a natural gas leak.

Reports so far indicate that two people were hurled from the two story building and became wedged under cars, one of whom was found under the axle of a car. Victims were found in the street by the 100 firefighters called to the scene.

The explosion, which took place at 6:15 am Pacific time, was so severe that it caused most of the building to collapse.

Fire Capt. Steve Ruda told local news station KNX that the department's urban search and rescue team was searching the building debris for possible victims. Search dogs are also at the scene to assist the firemen, as the building wreckage is splintered and difficult to penetrate.