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Footage Re-Emerges Of Terrifying Moment Burning Titanium Rains Down On Fire Crew

Footage Re-Emerges Of Terrifying Moment Burning Titanium Rains Down On Fire Crew

The footage LA Fire Department fleeing from a shower of burning metal

Simon Catling

Simon Catling

Footage has re-emerged ten years on of the terrifying moment in which a flurry of hot titanium rained down on a Los Angeles Fire Department.

On June 1, 2011, the Los Angeles Fire Department had sent a crew in response to a report of a fire at United Alloys and Metals in South Central LA that contained a large amount of scrap titanium.

As the footage shows, though, an explosion went off right when they're investigating the situation and the firefighters are seen running for cover as a shower of searing hot metallic rain falls down on them.

As ABC7 reported at the time, the blaze engulfed the titanium storage and recycling facility and was so strong that there were 200 firefighters attempting to put it out.

Reddit

The fire was hard to control due to the volatile nature of the chemicals stored in the building and incredibly enough, the footage you can see on camera is of just one of several explosions that took place while the crew were trying to put the fire out.

Titanium of course does not react well to water, and so initial efforts to quell the flames were in fact only making the situation worse. In the end, it burnt through the night and into the morning, with the firefighters holding off on further water until it seemed more manageable.

As for the crew themselves, two firefighters suffered from burn injuries, while one suffered a concussion-type injury to his ear due to the explosions. All three went to hospital but survived.

Reddit

"Loud explosion. Very scary, but very lucky - knock on wood here today - that we didn't see more injuries," said L.A. City Fire Deputy Chief Mario Rueda at the time.

"This was a devastating explosion."

Also speaking at the time, United Alloys Operator John Churley said: "First and foremost, we heard there were a couple firefighters injured, and from what we've heard, they're relatively minor, they'll be OK

"Obviously we're relieved to hear that. From initial feedback I've been getting from the fire department - it's too early to say it's official by any means, the investigation's still ongoing - but it seems that the fire did not start on the portion of the building that we operate in."

Reddit

United Alloys was ultimately one of at least four other businesses that were destroyed in the blaze.

Commenting on the footage a decade on, one Reddit user wrote: "This is how a super hero is born".

Another added: "AKA: Field testing the load capacity of your underwear."

Others meanwhile pointed out the bad reaction that water on titanium was inevitably going to cause.

The footage resurfacing once again highlights the incredibly difficult job that firefighters do and is a testament to the fearlessness with which they put their own lives on the line to save others.

Featured Image Credit: Credit: Reddit

Topics: US News