More than 130 firemen fought a fire that destroyed four homes in Pacoima and seriously injured a woman Thursday night amid exploding fireworks, according to officials.
Around 9 p.m., the Los Angeles Fire Department arrived at the scene of three one-story houses on fire near 12933 W. Corcoran St. Upon arrival, fireworks were exploding, posing a risk of ignition to nearby residences and brush.
According to the LAFD, firefighters started fighting the fire in a defensive manner while being positioned at a safe distance to protect the crew from potential further explosions.
California
The Fourth of July has been marked by a wave of unintentional fireworks explosions in California, including one that killed one person in a Simi Valley home on Thursday morning and another that seriously injured two people in a Bay Area home.
A 33-year-old lady was taken to a hospital in severe condition after the fire department deemed the fire a major emergency around 9:30 p.m. Additionally, a wounded dog was transported to a veterinary emergency room.
According to the Fire Department, the fire had spread to a fourth house and a car by the time firefighters put it out at 10 p.m. In addition to a 68-year-old woman refusing to be taken to a hospital for smoke inhalation injuries, several animals were reported hurt in the fire.
According to the LAFD, the L.A. Department of Water and Power has been asked to handle downed wires along the back of the first three homes that caught fire, and a gas company has been called to deal to a gas leak at one of the residences.
The L.A. Police Department’s bomb squad and the Fire Department’s hazmat and arson squads were sent to the scene. To offer assistance and counseling to impacted individuals, the Mayor’s Crisis Team was dispatched to the extinguished fire.
Animal Control was called in to handle the situation. In the wake of the fire, the L.A. Department of Building and Safety and the Red Cross are also being called upon to help.
California
Due to the possibility of unexploded munitions, federal investigators are conducting a cautious search of the warehouse site.
A number of similar occurrences were recorded throughout the state in the lead-up to the Fourth of July, including the fireworks blasts.
One person was killed at a Simi Valley home on Thursday morning, while two people were badly injured in a Bay Area home where authorities believe explosives were being made.
In addition, a warehouse hosting fireworks in Esparto, a rural location outside of Sacramento, was destroyed by an assassination on Tuesday night, leaving seven workers still unaccounted for.
Earlier this week, the LAFD sent out letters warning citizens that it is unlawful to use fireworks in any way within the city of Los Angeles and advising them not to celebrate the holiday by setting up their own fireworks displays.
The department said on X after Thursday night’s fire in Pacoima, “We implore you to think twice and go to a professional show if you are storing or considering using fireworks this weekend.” Soaking your fireworks in water is the quickest way to make them inert. Please take charge of your neighbors, pets, and loved ones.
