A fireworks explosion inside a $1.3 million home in south Los Angeles forced police to call in a bomb squad to clean up the area Saturday as fire officials battled an ensuing blaze with fireworks still exploding.
Officials told The California Post that one person was found dead at the Jefferson Park home, and two others were injured.
Video from the scene showed an energetic blaze with colorful fireworks dangerously going off. They appeared to be mortar-style fireworks. Firefighters extinguished the fire by 5:52 a.m.
Cadaver dogs were called for a possible missing person at one point, LAFD said.
Police said a “large quantity” of fireworks was recovered at the home. Arson investigators and the LAPD are investigating the cause of the fire and the “possible criminality” of the incident.
The fire started in the detached garage of the home in the 2400 block of 9th Avenue in Jefferson Park.
A 30-year-old woman was found at the scene with unknown injuries, fire officials initially reported.
Officials are expected to remain in the area for the investigation. Neighboring homes were evacuated because of the need to remove hazardous materials, FOX 11 reported.
The home was valued at around $1.3 million and had 4-bedrooms and 2-bathrooms, according to Realtor.com.
All fireworks are illegal in Los Angeles’ city limits, including “safe and sane” fireworks like sparklers, fountains and spinners. “Safe and sane” fireworks are allowed in certain areas of California.
The LA County Fire Department has said it is illegal “to store, manufacture, sell, use, or handle all forms of fireworks without a valid permit in unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County.”
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