L.A. apartment building collapse traps at least 2, injures dozens

A two-story apartment building collapsed in Los Angeles, California

LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- A two-story apartment building collapsed Friday northwest of downtown Los Angeles, injuring dozens and trapping at least two people, according to a Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman.

Spokesman Jim Wells said it is possible that there are more than two people trapped in the building in the Echo Park area. He said 30-40 people escaped from the sprawling Spanish colonial-style complex. The injured were being treated at the scene.

People who were in the Park Avenue building when it happened say they heard an explosion.

Wells said rescue crews were planning their strategy for going into the building.

"Rescuers could become trapped," Wells said. "We can't just go in haphazardly."

A construction project involving the Department of Water and Power was under way nearby, but there was no immediate indication it was linked to the collapse.

The accident happened just before 8:30 PST.

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