BLAZE DESTROYS BUILDING; GLENDALE EXPLOSION INJURES 8 TENANTS.

Byline: Lisa Van Proyen Daily News Staff Writer

A spectacular fiery explosion Friday that gutted at least four apartments and rattled residents blocks away left eight people injured, one critically, and forced about 200 people from three apartment complexes, officials said.

More than 30 families were evacuated from two apartment buildings, which were red-tagged after the destructive explosion. Fire officials said the 12:13 p.m. blast probably was triggered by natural gas in an apartment in the 700 block of Orange Grove Avenue.

The most critically injured was a 31-year-old man, who was inside his second-story rear apartment, where officials said the initial explosion occurred.

The man was listed in critical condition at Los Angeles County/USC Medical Center, with burns on more than 30 percent of his body, fire officials said.

A 6-year-old boy, Arman Sarkissian, was in fair condition at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles where he was treated for minor burns on his face and neck and cuts on his neck, said Steve Rutledge, a hospital spokesman.

The six others had minor injuries, including a 58-year-old man with cuts from flying debris, a 72-year-old woman treated at the scene for cuts, a 37-year-old woman treated at the scene, a 24-year-old man treated for chest discomfort after he was knocked off a ladder by the explosion, a 2-year-old with cuts on her ear and a 44-year-old woman treated for hyperventilation, officials said.

None of the other victims was identified.

Chahe Keuroghelian, a spokesman for the Glendale Police Department, said it was unknown whether the fire was set intentionally. All possibilities were being investigated, including whether the explosion was the result of a death attempt, he said.

``It could be accidental or intentional or a suicide,'' Keuroghelian said.

As a routine practice, Glendale police officers set up a crime scene while arson investigators analyzed the building's ruins, which resembled a war zone in some areas, with half of the rear of the stucco building blown down to the carport level and blankets, bathroom fixtures, and clothing strewn about.

Part of the 16-unit complex's roof was blown away and at least one second-floor apartment collapsed onto the first floor. The impact blew out windows in at least eight neighboring apartments, said Battalion Chief Mike Haney. At least four of the apartments sustained major damage.

A door was knocked completely off its hinges on a second-story apartment located on a street in back of the complex.

Haney likened the building to the quake-damaged Northridge Meadows apartment complex.

``This scene reminds me of the apartment building in Northridge. It's that kind of devastation,'' Haney said, standing beneath an apartment with its charred bathroom sink now exposed.

Khanum Sarkissian, a 72-year-old who suffered minor injuries from flying glass as she ran to grab her 6-year-old grandson, described the scene through an Armenian interpreter.

``I heard the explosion and it was like a big ball of fire burst out of the apartment,'' said Sarkissian, who lives next door to the initial apartment that erupted into flames.

Sarkissian said she saw a man struggling to open a door to the apartment where the blast originated.

``He tried to open the door and it jammed. Once he opened it, it exploded,'' she said.

Many described the explosion as sounding like a bomb and feeling like an earthquake at some points.

``I was clearing my house and then it was like a bomb, ladies screaming and babies crying,'' said Alis Garibkhanyan, who evacuated her home.

Thomas Holden, who lives about two blocks away, said he thought somebody was trying to break down his door.

``It just felt like someone was trying to crash into my front wall,'' Holden said among a group of about 100 spectators gathered on the street.

Sixty-five firefighters battled the blaze, which was extinguished in about 20 minutes, officials said.

The American Red Cross set up an emergency shelter at Glendale High School's auditorium, where at least 30 people were expected to spend the night, said Ritch Wells, a Glendale city spokesman.

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Photo, Map

PHOTO Firefighters work to extinguish a fire Friday at a Glendale apartment complex where eight people were hurt.

Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News

MAP: Fire in 700 block of Orange Grove Ave., Glendale