The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department announced on Tuesday, Oct. 10 during a press conference held by Sheriff Robert Luna that two LASD deputies were injured during a fire that broke out in a training facility located at the Pitchess Detention Center in Castaic.

The deputites are listed in stable, but critical condition at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital in Valencia.

At approximately 9:30 a.m., a fire incident unfolded at the mobile shooting range trailer at the Pitchess Detention Center, resulting in injuries to two deputies promptly transported to Henry Mayo Hospital.

During a training exercise the fire occured while the deputies were inside the mobile range trailer. The first deputy is a 17-year veteran assigned to the North County Correctional Facility and the second deputy is a 21-year veteran assigned to Sylmar Court.

Los Angeles County Fire personnel are actively extinguishing and containing the fire, with the Pitchess Detention Center currently under lockdown as a precautionary measure. The inmate population has no imminent threat to their safety.

As a proactive measure, all mobile shooting ranges across the county have been temporarily closed.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Arson Explosives Detail personnel are on-site and will conduct a comprehensive investigation into the origin and cause of the fire. Due to the early stage of the investigation and the potential hazards posed by unspent ammunition in the vicinity of the mobile range, investigators will enter the area only when it is deemed safe. The investigative process will resume once the materials and debris have sufficiently cooled.

In accordance with protocol the LASD have informed the California Office of Emergency Services and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives about the incident.

Deputy Fire Chief Thomas Ewald and his team responded to an initial report of a fire at the North County Correctional Facility. The incident initially appeared to involve a shed fire, prompting the dispatch of first alarm resources to the scene.

Upon arrival the fire was located inside a 50-foot to 53-foot tractor-trailer, which was utilized as a mobile shooting range. Two injured deputies had already been transported to Henry Mayo Hospital via sheriff’s vehicles for medical treatment. The fire department had no personnel on site requiring transport and firefighters immediately deployed hand lines to combat the blaze.

The fire posed a significant threat to the building and an adjacent 53-foot trailer. Fortunately, firefighters effectively applied water over an extended period, limiting the fire’s spread to the initial trailer. They also safely moved the neighboring trailer aside. At this point, an excavator is being used to open one end of the trailer, ensuring more efficient application of water streams.

No additional injuries have been reported on the scene and firefighters are equipped with full protective gear.

During the press conference, Dr. Louie-Marc Contreras, a trauma surgeon and current Chief of the medical staff for Henry Mayo Hospital, released a statement where he expressed his deep concern for the injured deputies and their families. Their condition is stable, but they remain in critical condition due to injuries primarily related to burns. Importantly, no surgical intervention has been required at this time.

Luna emphasized the importance of a thorough investigation to determine the root cause of the fire incident and acknowledged the bravery and sacrifice of the injured deputies.

UPDATE: As of 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct.10 the LASD has reported the two injured deputies have been transported from Henry Mayo Hospital to LAC + USC Medical Center for futher medical treatment.