WILMINGTON, CA — The ninth Los Angeles Firefighter hospitalized in a powerful truck explosion last week walked out of the hospital Monday afternoon to find his fellow firefighters lined up outside the hospital to cheer him on.
Dan Goen was seriously injured on Feb. 15 when his Los Angeles Fire Department crew responded to a call in Wilmington and found a semi-truck on fire, according to the LAFD. Within moments, the tractor, which was powered by two 100-gallon compressed natural gas tanks, exploded throwing several firefighters several feet into the air and knocking them out.
According to the fire department, the less injured crew members came to the aid of their severely injured colleagues. More than 150 firefighters responded to the scene to help treat the injured firefighters and put out the blaze.
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Holding hands with his wife outside the Los Angeles General Medical Center, Goen thanked the crowd of firefighters for their support.
“I’m just extremely grateful for God, first of all, for saving me; for my wife; for all the support— all my family and friends all the firefighters all throughout the city especially at 85,” Goen said. “Just blessed to, not only to be alive, but also to not have any career-ending, major injuries. So, I am very blessed and happy to be here. I’m looking forward to going home, resting, recovering and seeing my girls.”
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“This incident serves as a reminder of the inherent dangers of the firefighting profession and the commitment your LAFD members have to place the safety of the public before their own,” Fire Chief Kristin Crowley said.
Crowley added that she has met with all the injured firefighters and they are all recovering well.
The incident remains under investigation.
City News Service contributed to this report.
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