Police said Friday that explosive material that could have been used in illegal homemade fireworks operations were found in a Pacoima house that exploded on Thursday, seriously hurting a man and replacing several families.
Authorities received a call Thursday at 9:01 a.m. to learn about the explosion inside a house in the 13500 block of W. Remington Street. Firefighters found light smoke emitted by some collapsed houses. Los Angeles Fire Department News Release.
After investigation, authorities identified explosive materials in the damaged residence.
“The LAPD bomb squad has identified explosive materials inside partially collapsed structures, some of which are black powder, known to be used to build illegal homemade fireworks,” Los Angeles Police Officer Drake Madison said in an email response Friday. “They are currently working to identify all potentially hazardous materials so that they can safely protect affected areas.”
Officials said the property remains a location of active investigation and structural security concerns.
Lindsey Lantz, a spokesman for the Los Angeles Fire Department, said that during the explosion, he was alone at home. The 24-year-old male resident suffered severe burns and open wounds and was transported to a nearby hospital.
A family member told authorities that a total of four dogs were believed to be at home during the explosion. Lands said three dogs were retrieved safely. The last dog was pulled by a leash inside the building’s footprint and was rescued by firefighters, LAFD said in a press release.
The LAPD bomb squad was still at the scene of a house explosion in Pacoima on Friday. Thursday’s explosion injured a 24-year-old man. Police believe this is caused by fireworks.
(Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times)
According to LAFD, about 10 city departments responded to the scene on Thursday.
Dozens of families were asked to leave their homes after an evacuation order was issued Thursday night.
according to KTLA 5. The American Red Cross Los Angeles area and LAPD did not confirm the figure when the Times asked.
Yolanda Maya, a representative of the American Red Cross, said Ritchie Valence Evacuation Center In Pacoima after the evacuation order.
“Everyone is welcome to stay here,” Maya said. “We are offering showers, breakfast, lunch and dinner. And any other help people may need.”
Angel Saudeda, head of regional communications at the Red Cross, said the shelter will continue to operate until the evacuation order is elevated and when the area is safely available for residents to return home. There are beds for night stays, Sauceda said.
“It’s a slow and methodical process that ensures the safety of the community as well as the staff of the incident,” said LAPD official Madison. “We thank the community members affected by this incident and subsequent evacuation for their patience.”
Madison said LAPD is working with the office of Councilman Monica Rodriguez to provide hotel coupons for displaced residents. Rodriguez did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
