A massive firework explosion tore through a detached garage in South Los Angeles early Saturday, May 9, killing one person and injuring two others while sending bursts of color into the predawn sky.
Firefighters arrived at the home in the 2400 block of 9th Avenue in Jefferson Park around 5:35 a.m. after reports of a structure fire and loud explosions.
They found the garage fully engulfed, with mortar-style fireworks launching and detonating as the flames grew.
Video from the scene captured the chaos, with bright streaks and booms echoing through the neighborhood as smoke rose.
One victim was pronounced dead at the scene. A 30-year-old woman was among the two injured. At one point, officials worried someone else might be missing and brought in cadaver dogs to search the property.
The Los Angeles Fire Department later confirmed the death and said the main fire was knocked down by 5:52 a.m.
Fireworks Kept Going off in Los Angeles
The scale of the danger required a major response, as a large stash of fireworks in the garage kept going off, prompting crews to fight the blaze defensively.
Neighbors were evacuated as authorities worried about more explosions. The Los Angeles Police Department called in its bomb squad to secure the site and remove hazardous materials.
Arson investigators and LAPD detectives are now working to determine exactly what happened and whether any criminal activity was involved.
The single-family home, listed as a four-bedroom, two-bathroom property, is valued at about $1.3 million.
The fire remained mostly contained to the detached garage, but the flying embers and ongoing explosions posed a risk to nearby houses.
Fireworks of all kinds, including the so-called “safe and sane” varieties like sparklers and fountains, are illegal inside Los Angeles city limits.
County rules also ban storing, selling, or handling them without proper permits in unincorporated areas.
Officials have long warned that the illegal storage of large quantities can be deadly, especially in residential garages, where heat, sparks, or accidental ignition can trigger a chain reaction.
Saturday’s blast occurred amid repeated problems with illegal fireworks in the region.
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Previous incidents have destroyed homes, injured bystanders and stretched emergency services.
Authorities say unregulated mortar fireworks, which are admired for their height and power, are especially dangerous when stored in bulk.
Residents in Jefferson Park described hearing what sounded like gunshots or bombs going off in rapid succession.
Some went outside to see the sky lighting up, only to realize the danger. Evacuations were ordered as a precaution while crews worked to clear the remaining explosives.
By mid-morning, bomb squad technicians were still methodically sweeping the property. Investigators combed through the burned garage for evidence of how the fireworks were stored and what might have caused the first explosion.
No immediate details were released about the identities of the victims or their connection to the home.
The incident shut down part of the neighborhood for hours. Fire officials remained on scene well into the day alongside police and hazardous materials teams.
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City crews also checked nearby structures for any damage from flying debris or heat.
Amid the ongoing investigation, questions remain about how such a large quantity ended up in a quiet Jefferson Park garage.
Police have not ruled out any possibilities, including illegal manufacturing or sales.
The two injured individuals were taken to local hospitals, but their conditions were not immediately released.
The coroner’s office will identify the person who died once the next of kin are notified.
