Two workers critically injured in electrical ‘explosion’ in downtown L.A.

At least two men were critically injured Thursday morning in downtown Los Angeles in what witnesses described as an explosion involving electrical equipment, authorities said.

The Los Angeles Fire Department received reports of a multi-patient electrical injury at 9:12 a.m.

Two contractors working near a loading dock at 360 S. Flower St. were critically injured in the incident, the Fire Department said in a news release.

Their injuries included burns to the face and arms, Fire Department spokesman Brian Humphrey said.

Crews left the scene about 11 a.m. once Cal/OSHA arrived, Humphrey said.

The men were employed by Edison Power Constructors, according to a statement from Cal/OSHA, which is investigating. They were injured and sustained burns in an electrical arc flash while installing electrical cables inside an above-ground electric vault.

Both men were taken to County USC Medical Center, Cal/OSHA said.