Food truck explosion in Whittier leaves 5 people wounded

A food truck explosion in Whittier left five people wounded Friday morning, two of them critically injured, authorities said.

Firefighters responded at 9:16 a.m. to 6701 Greenleaf Avenue, where they discovered a propane explosion, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. 

Two people suffered critical injuries during the incident, while two others moderate injuries and the fifth had minor injuries, firefighters said.

Jaime Hernandez a roofer who was working nearby when it happened and took video of the aftermath said that she ran out of the truck with her clothes on fire. 

After she rolled onto the ground, he was able to see injuries on her face and her legs before other people who witnessed the incident rushed to throw water on her. 

Four of the victims were rushed to the hospital, the most serious of which was taken to LA County+USC Medical Center.

Witnesses tell KCAL News that all five of the victims were employees of the business where the explosion occurred, a food truck for the coffee shop named Lift, which was their primary point of operation after the roof of their building collapsed, according to an Instagram post from the business. 

"It's unfortunate," said Manny Garcia, a nearby business owner. "I know these people, I see them every day. You know, they're part of my daily schedule, you can say. So, it hurts. They're all good people, they're all good kids. Unfortunate with the roof situation going on, this was just an alternative way for them to kind of keep their business going."

Just before 11 a.m., the fire department said police would be taking over the investigation and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) had been notified.