2 hospitalized after gas tanker explosion in South California

Los ANGELES, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Two people were hospitalized after a 9,000-gallon gasoline tanker leaked and caught fire in South California early Sunday, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

The incident was reported around 7:45 a.m. local time in the area of 216 West Slauson Avenue, in South Los Angeles's Florence neighborhood, said the fire department in a release.

The expLosion exposed two structures to flames and ignited the atmosphere in the storm drains.

A total of 72 firefighters extinguished the blaze in nearly two hours, and there is currently no active fire.

Two civilian patients were transported to a local hospital with unknown injuries.

Hazardous materials specialists of the L.A. Fire Department are on scene to mitigate environmental impact and maintain safety for crews, said the release.