Partner K-12 Saw May Have Sparked Fatal L.A. Explosion

[WestTac1]

Firefighter used power saw before blast, witness says
Los Angeles Times
Thursday, March 27th 2008
Times staff writer Bob Pool contributed to this report.

Los Angeles Fire Department officials investigating Wednesday's fatal explosion in Westchester are looking into several possible causes, including whether a power saw being used by their personnel may have ignited the blast that killed one firefighter and critically injured another,

....Within minutes of his call, he said, a firefighter arrived and tried to open the door to the utility room, which was locked. Moments later an engine arrived with the two firefighters. They also tried without success to open the door. One went to the truck and returned with a yellow circular saw.

"As soon he turned it on and put it by the door, that was when the explosion occurred," said Mordi, who said it was immediately clear that the firefighter's injuries were significant. "It threw him almost six feet from where he was standing."

FULL STORY: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la...,4853229.story

[nameless]

truly a tragedy thoughts go out to the family and co-workers in L.A.


on the other hand, I think your title is a bit misleading. I don't really believe it is PARTNER'S K12 saw caused the problem, just the fact it was an internal combustion saw.

[RFRDxplorer]

Not to be a smart *** or to get off topic.....this is a straight up question.

Is it true that Husqvarna bought Partner? Some guys were talking about this the other day.

[nameless]

Originally Posted by RFRDxplorer

Is it true that Husqvarna bought Partner? Some guys were talking about this the other day.

its what i've heard

[RFDACM02]

Originally Posted by RFRDxplorer

Not to be a smart *** or to get off topic.....this is a straight up question.

Is it true that Husqvarna bought Partner? Some guys were talking about this the other day.

The new Husky line up looks very similar to the Partner saws includes K650, K950 and more, so I drew the same conclusion.

Quick search yields the following:

http://www.partnerusa.com/

[jonnyirons2]

They did buy them. Husqvarna had an annoucement somwhere.

www.husqvarnacp.com

[MG3610]

Originally Posted by RFRDxplorer

Not to be a smart *** or to get off topic.....this is a straight up question.

Is it true that Husqvarna bought Partner? Some guys were talking about this the other day.

Yes, its true.

[TheFNG]

Originally Posted by nameless

truly a tragedy thoughts go out to the family and co-workers in L.A.


on the other hand, I think your title is a bit misleading. I don't really believe it is PARTNER'S K12 saw caused the problem, just the fact it was an internal combustion saw.

Personally, I'd venture it was the sparks the cutting tool was throwing more than the engine itself. Still, same difference.

[pescado29]

Has anyone questioned the fact that this was an electrical room? What exactly was in there that sparks/internal combustion engine would ignite an explosion? I am fairly new to the fire service and not a utilities/building construction expert yet, however, it seem odd to me.

Are NG lines or sewer mains typically placed in the same rooms as electrical panels? These are then only two things that I would think could typically be found in a building that could fill a confined space with flamable gasses.

I suppose the occupants could have store other flamable gas producing items in the room. If so it just reaffirms that you never really know what you are walking into on incident.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the LAFD, et. al.