Blast at LA sheriff's facility kills three deputies
· RTE.ieAn explosion at a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department training facility has killed three deputies, the department said.
The explosion took place at the Biscailuz Center Academy Training in East Los Angeles, the department said in a statement, without releasing more details.
The Los Angeles Times newspaper, citing unnamed law enforcement sources, reported that the blast took place when a bomb squad moved some explosives.
Hilda Solis, who serves on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, said in a statement: "My heart goes out to the families, friends, and colleagues of the three individuals who lost their lives in what appears to have been a devastating explosion."
US Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote on social media that she had spoken with Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna along with US Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli "about what appears to be a horrific incident that killed at least three at a law enforcement training facility in Los Angeles".
Ms Bondi said that federal agents were at the scene and working to learn more.
California Governor Gavin Newsom said on social media that the state sent investigators from the Office of the State Fire Marshal to assist with the investigation.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said that Los Angeles Fire Department arson investigators, along with members of the police department's bomb squad, were helping in the investigation
Fox News and other US media outlets said the incident at Biscailuz Training Center appeared to have been an accident and killed at least three sheriff's deputies.
The Los Angeles Times newspaper quoted unnamed sources as saying that the facility's bomb squad was moving explosives when the blast took place.
Footage from local station KTLA, which helicoptered over the training center, showed a person in bomb disposal gear working around a truck believed to contain explosives, which law enforcement personnel had covered with a large tent.
Authorities announced they would give a press conference later in the day.