At least three people have been killed after an explosion at a law enforcement training base in Los Angeles, officials say.
The blast occurred at the Biscailuz Center Academy Training in the east of the city on Friday at around 07.30pm local time.
A cordon has been erected and the area has been evacuated as arson investigators and members of the Los Angeles Police Department’s bomb squad carry out inquiries.
The Los Angeles Times reports that staff "were moving unexploded ordinance" before it detonated.
#BREAKING: 3 Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies killed in explosion at training facility. KTLA spoke with LAFD spokesperson Erik Scott during live news coverage. pic.twitter.com/zGsgcYRegf
— KTLA (@KTLA) July 18, 2025
The three victims are all believed to be deputies, while one person was injured and taken to hospital.
It is currently unclear what caused the explosion or whether there are any more victims.
Confirming the deaths on X, formerly known as Twitter, US Attorney General Pam Bondi called it a "horrific incident".
Horrific incident
She said that federal agents have been deployed on the scene in California and are "working to learn more". California governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna has also been briefed.
Aerial footage from local television station KABC-TV shows the explosion occurred in a parking lot filled with police cars and trucks.
The Mayor of Los Angeles Karen Bass said the "thoughts of all Angelenos are with all those impacted by this blast".
Kathryn Barger, chairman of the LA County Board of Supervisors, said she stands by “the brave men and women of the Sheriff's Department during this difficult time”
