Residents of Caballo Peak Apartments at 3100 Canyon Road were allowed to return home at 4:30 p.m. today after an explosion early this morning caused some of the buildings in the complex to be evacuated. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
The force of this morning’s explosion inside this apartment blew out two windows and the front door and sent shattered glass flying some 200 feet across Trinity Drive. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Debris is strewn across the parking lot in front of Apartment 11 following this morning’s explosion at the Caballo Peak Apartments on Canyon Road. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos police have given residents of Caballo Peak Apartments at 3100 Canyon Road the “all clear” at 4:30 p.m. today to re-enter their homes after an explosion early this morning caused some of the buildings in the complex to be evacuated.
The damaged apartment where the explosion occurred continues to be secured and part of an active police and fire investigation. No further details are being released today about the investigation; LAPD Cmdr. Preston Ballew said this afternoon that he expects to provide another update to media on the investigation tomorrow; however, release of information will continue to be limited while the investigation continues.
Background: At approximately 1:30 a.m. today, LAPD responded to reports of an explosion at 3301 Canyon Road, which is the location of Caballo Peak Apartments. They found one male individual injured and signs of an explosion inside one of the apartments, with damage to the windows and doors of the apartment and a small fire inside the apartment. LAFD firefighters arrived on scene and were quickly able to extinguish the fire. LAFD emergency response crews treated the injured male for burns and he was transported to the local hospital. The individual’s current medical condition is unknown.
For public safety, LAPD evacuated the building where the explosion occurred as well as the immediately adjacent buildings. Crews from the Dept. of Public Utilities were dispatched to disconnect water and gas to the building, as well as disconnecting electricity to the single apartment where the explosion occurred, as a safety precaution. County officials from the Building Division were called out to assess structural damage. At this time, all utility services have been restored to the building.
In addition to public safety precautions, LAPD and LAFD closed the apartment complex area to residents and visitors while they conducted an investigation into the possible cause of the explosion and whether any criminal activity had taken place.
An emergency shelter had been prepared by the Red Cross at the Immacualte Heart of Mary Church in case any residents were displaced overnight, however, LAPD officials are coordinating to break down the shelter as it is no longer needed.
