Firefighter seriously injured in Wilmington Explosion released from hospital
Less than two weeks after being seriously injured in the Wilmington Explosion, firefighter Dan Goen is going home to his family.
The first responder was one of nine firefighters hurt when a compressed natural gas tank exploded on a big rig on Feb. 15. Goen is counting his blessings that he’s able to go home to his wife and two daughters.
“I’m just extremely grateful for God, first of all for saving me,” Goen said after being released from the Los Angeles General Medical Center. “For my wife for all of the support, all my family and friends … thank you to everybody involved.”
Goen also took the time to single out all of the firefighters in the City, as well as hospital staff for helping him recover from his injuries.
“Blessed to not only be alive, but also, to not have any career-ending major injuries,” he said. “So, I am very blessed and happy to be here.”
Many of Goen’s fellow first responders welcomed him with applause and cheers when he walked hand-in-hand with his wife out of the hospital.
Firefighter Dan Goen and his wife speak to the first responders who welcomed him out of hospital on Feb. 26, 2024 (LAFD) Firefighter Dan Goen is cheered by other first responders leaves Los Angeles General Medical Center on Feb. 26, 2024 (LAFD) Firefighters wait for fellow first responder Dan Goen, who was injured in the Wilmington Explosion to leave the hospital on Feb. 26, 2024. (LAFD) Firefighter Dan Goen is cheered by other first responders leaves Los Angeles General Medical Center on Feb. 26, 2024 (LAFD) The tractor portion of a big rig is shown in an aerial view on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, in the Wilmington section of Los Angeles. Several Los Angeles firefighters were injured, two critically, when an explosion occurred as they responded to a truck with pressurized cylinders that were on fire early Thursday, authorities said. (AP Photo/William Liang) The tractor portion of a big rig is shown on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024 in the Wilmington section of Los Angeles. Several Los Angeles firefighters were injured, two critically, when an explosion occurred as they responded to a truck with pressurized cylinders that were on fire early Thursday, authorities said. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) Firefighters stage at the scene of an explosion in an aerial view on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, in the Wilmington section of Los Angeles. Several Los Angeles firefighters were injured, two critically, when an explosion occurred as they responded to a truck with pressurized cylinders that were on fire early Thursday, authorities said. (AP Photo/William Liang) The tractor portion of a big rig, right, is shown in an aerial view on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, in the Wilmington section of Los Angeles. Several Los Angeles firefighters were injured, two critically, when an explosion occurred as they responded to a truck with pressurized cylinders that were on fire early Thursday, authorities said. (AP Photo/William Liang) The tractor portion of a big rig, at left, is shown in an aerial view on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, in the Wilmington section of Los Angeles. Several Los Angeles firefighters were injured, two critically, when an explosion occurred as they responded to a truck with pressurized cylinders that were on fire early Thursday, authorities said. (AP Photo/William Liang) The tractor portion of a big rig, at left, is shown in an aerial view on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, in the Wilmington section of Los Angeles. Several Los Angeles firefighters were injured, two critically, when an explosion occurred as they responded to a truck with pressurized cylinders that were on fire early Thursday, authorities said. (AP Photo/William Liang) The tractor portion of a big rig, bottom right, is shown in an aerial view on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, in the Wilmington section of Los Angeles. Several Los Angeles firefighters were injured, two critically, when an explosion occurred as they responded to a truck with pressurized cylinders that were on fire early Thursday, authorities said. (AP Photo/William Liang) A fire inspector looks on near the site of a truck explosion on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, in the Wilmington section of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) The tractor portion of a big rig stands on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, in the Wilmington section of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) The tractor portion of a big rig is strewn on a road on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, in the Wilmington section of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) Flanked by medical staff and fire department personnel Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, talks during a news conference at Harbor–UCLA Medical Center in the West Carson area of Los Angeles on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel) The scene in Wilmington where a CNG-powered truck exploded Thursday morning, injuring 7 firefighters. Feb. 15, 2024. (KTLA) The explosion of a CNG-powerd truck that injured seven firefighters was captured on video in Wilmington on Feb. 15, 2024. (Noel Jordan) The scene in Wilmington where a CNG-powered truck exploded Thursday morning, injuring 7 firefighters. Feb. 15, 2024. (KTLA)
The incident occurred when the Los Angeles Fire Department received a call about a truck on fire around 7 a.m. on Feb. 15, at the intersection of Alameda Street and North Henry Ford Avenue.
“There are two 100-gallon tanks on that vehicle, one of which exploded while our firefighters were putting out the fire,” Capt. Erik Scott of the L.A. Fire Department said at a news conference following the explosion.
The natural gas, Scott said, was the truck’s fuel, and the tractor was not hauling a trailer at the time.
Nine firefighters were hurt in the explosion, with most suffering minor-to-moderate injuries. Goen — who was in critical condition following the blast — was airlifted to Los Angeles General Medical Center, which operates one of the three burn center units in the area.
“Looking forward to going home,” Goen said. “Resting, recovering, and seeing my girls.”
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