Explosion at Van Nuys apartment building leaves 3 hospitalized in unknown condition

VAN NUYS, Calif. (KABC) -- Three people were hospitalized in unknown condition Thursday morning after a small explosion at an apartment building in Van Nuys, fire officials said.

The explosion was reported shortly before 10 a.m. at a multi-story structure in the 14500 block of Hartland Street, just west of Van Nuys Boulevard, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

The LAFD said the incident was caused by a worker in a bathroom at the scene, and other employees were evacuated.

Additional details about the cause of the blast were not immediately available.

L.A. Department of Building and Safety officials were summoned to the scene, where video from AIR7 showed debris on the ground floor were the explosion apparently occurred.

The LAFD's Urban Search and Rescue team was en route to the building, along with a hazardous materials team.