Illegal homemade fireworks suspected in Pacoima explosion that displaced dozens of families, police say
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Explosive materials, possibly used in an illegal homemade fireworks operation, were discovered in a Pacoima home that exploded Thursday, critically injuring one man and displacing dozens of families, police said Friday.
Authorities received a call at 9:01 a.m. Thursday about an explosion in a home in the 13000 block of West Remington Street. Firefighters found light smoke coming from the partially collapsed home, according to a Los Angeles Fire Department news release.
Investigators found explosive material inside the damaged residence, the LAPD said.
“LAPD bomb squad has identified explosive material inside of the partially collapsed structure, some of which is black powder, which is known to be used in construction of illegal homemade fireworks,” Los Angeles Police Officer Drake Madison said in an email response Friday. “They are currently working to identify all of the potentially dangerous materials to be able to safely secure the affected area.”
Despite widespread stress, smoke inhalation and other disruptions caused by the January wildfires, a majority of Los Angeles County residents are happy with their lives here and don’t plan to leave.
The property remains a site of active investigation and structural safety concern, officials said.
A 24-year-old man was inside the home during the explosion, said LAFD spokesperson Lyndsey Lantz. The resident, who suffered severe burns and other wounds, was transported to a hospital in critical condition.
Four dogs were believed to be in the home during the explosion, a family member told authorities. Three dogs were safely retrieved, Lantz said. The fourth was trapped by a leash on the property and was rescued by fire crews, the LAFD news release said.
About 10 city departments responded to the scene Thursday, according to the LAFD.
About 60 households were asked to evacuate Thursday night, LAFD Chief Ronnie Villanueva said.
The owners of S&W Atlas Iron & Metal, accused of exposing Watts high school students to toxic waste, will spend at least the weekend in jail after a judge ruled they violated a court order by having flammable materials on their site.
Yolanda Maya, a representative of the American Red Cross, said an evacuation shelter was set up at Ritchie Valens Evacuation Center in Pacoima.
“Everyone is welcome to stay here,” Maya said. “We are offering showers, breakfast, lunch and dinner. And any other assistance people may need as we go.”
Red Cross Regional Communication Director Angel Sauceda said the shelter will continue to operate until evacuation orders are lifted. Beds for overnight stays are available, Sauceda said.
“This is a slow and methodical process to ensure safety of the community, as well as the personnel working the incident,” LAPD Officer Madison said. “We are grateful for the patience of the community members affected by this incident and subsequent evacuations.”
Madison said the LAPD is working with Councilmember Monica Rodriguez’s office to offer hotel vouchers to displaced residents.
“Tragically, the illegal activity of an individual has risked the lives and property of an entire neighborhood,” Rodriguez said in a statement posted on social media. “As we work to resolve this volatile situation, my primary focus is protecting the lives and properties of the impacted community exercising every possible precaution.”
At a news conference Friday, Mayor Karen Bass said officials would conduct a controlled burn Friday night on the damaged property to dispose of toxic materials.
“All other options have been examined. Public safety leaders have made clear that it is unsafe to enter the property because of the unstable material inside,” Bass said. “A specialized metal mesh fence will be erected around the controlled burn to protect surrounding homes from possible projectiles.”
Additional surrounding homes have been asked to evacuate, the LAPD said. A thermal gel has been placed on nearby homes to prevent further contamination.
“This is a criminal investigation, a joint investigation — both state and federal,” Special Agent Kenneth Cooper of the federal Bureau of Alchohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said at the news conference. “This is essentially a bomb. And together, as a whole government approach, we have come up with the most safe way to render safety.”
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