A 19-year-old sanitation employee was killed late Sunday when he became trapped in an industrial meat grinder he was cleaning at Tina’s Burritos’ frozen-food plant in Vernon, about five miles south of downtown Los Angeles, authorities said. The Los Angeles County Fire Department was dispatched at 9:24 p.m. and arrived within minutes, but the worker was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Vernon Police Department. Investigators believe the machine, described as an industrial-grade kettle, unexpectedly activated while the employee was performing routine sanitation. Co-workers heard his cries for help and tried unsuccessfully to shut the equipment down. Police are treating the incident as an industrial mishap and said no foul play is suspected. Cal/OSHA has opened an inquiry into possible safety violations, while Tina’s Burritos said it is cooperating fully with regulators. In a statement, the company called the death “a devastating loss” and said its focus is on supporting employees and maintaining “the highest safety standards” at the facility.