A Tragic Incident at CA Pitchess Detention Center: Explosion and Fire Injure Four Deputies

In a shocking incident at the Pitchess Detention Center in Castaic, California, four deputies were injured due to an explosion and subsequent fire at a mobile training facility. 

The incident occurred around 9:40 a.m. on Tuesday, causing a significant disruption at the facility, also known as the Wayside Jail.

The mobile training facility, a converted trailer used as a shooting range, caught fire during a service weapons training session. 

Two deputies were inside the trailer at the time of the incident, one undergoing a department-mandated recertification test and the other supervising the process. 

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department described the incident as a ‘training accident’.

The fire trapped the deputies inside the trailer, leading to a swift response from the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Firefighters took defensive positions around the area and worked tirelessly to douse the flames. 

Overhead footage showed fire trucks at the scene, battling the blaze at the facility located on the 29300 block of The Old Road in Castaic.

The four injured deputies self-transported to the Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital in Valencia. Two of the deputies suffered critical burns, while the others sustained minor injuries. The severity of their injuries was not immediately known.

The Pitchess Detention Center, a sprawling compound of over 2,600 acres, houses multiple facilities, including four separate jail facilities, a SWAT training facility, an Emergency Vehicle Operators Course track, and a full-size firing range facility used for academy classes and professional training courses. 

The mobile range facility where the incident occurred is outside the facility walls and the building itself.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the Los Angeles County Fire Department are working diligently to determine the cause of the explosion and subsequent fire.

This tragic incident underscores the inherent risks of law enforcement training and the importance of stringent safety measures. As the investigation continues, we think about the injured deputies and their families during this challenging time.