Firefighters Treated After Exposure to Toxic Hazards

More than 50 Los Angeles city firefighters were rushed to hospitals Saturday when authorities feared that they had been contaminated by radioactive uranium and toxic chemicals housed in a Sun Valley building that burst into flames.

City fire spokesman Greg Acevedo said 46 were released after examinations. Four firefighters were held for observation at Serra Memorial Hospital in Sun Valley and two more were kept overnight at Burbank Community Hospital, Acevedo said.

The six firefighters were suffering breathing problems, nausea and other symptoms apparently resulting from the inhalation of noxious fumes, Acevedo said.

The fire broke out at 2:30 p.m., reportedly after a series of small explosions occurred at the Research Organic Inorganic Chemicals plant on De Garmo Avenue.

Officials determined that toxic chemicals, including benzene and sulfuric acid, and radioactive uranium were housed in the building and ordered firefighters examined as a precaution.

After the examinations, fire officials determined that the small amount of uranium “was not significant enough to pose a health hazard,” Acevedo said.

The cause of the blaze and the amount of damage were not immediately known, firefighters said. The fire, confined to part of the 100- by 200-foot, one-story building, was extinguished one hour after firefighters arrived.