A massive explosion injured at least 17 people.
(Picture: Photo Credit: KCAL9/CBSLA)A massive explosion injured at least 17 people after the LAPD attempted to safely detonate explosives and fireworks that had been seized from a South Los Angeles home.
The blast, which occurred on June 30 at about 7:30pm in the historic Los Angeles neighbourhood of South Central, injured ten law enforcement officials — including one federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agent — as well as seven bystanders, six of whom were taken to a nearby hospital. Eight or nine families were displaced as a result of the explosion, per LA Daily News.
#BREAKING: Authorities are on the scene of a massive firework explosion in South Los Angeles where police had been working to remove fireworks from a home nearby. WATCH LIVE —> https://t.co/48pgdUvLPj pic.twitter.com/QoKgrEkbte
— CBS Los Angeles (@CBSLA) July 1, 2021
“It felt like a really hard earthquake like we never felt before,” Jazmin Vazquez, a South Central resident, told CBS Los Angeles. “We were surprised so we ran out. It sounded like an explosion but really close to our family.””
Firefighters tell Maria Velasquez and her daughter Madelyn Heredia "It's going to be a long night." They live across the street from the center of the blast, won't be able to see their ruined home in person. (Cont...) @ladailynews pic.twitter.com/h72WTbYwlX
— Eric Anthony Licas (@EricLicas) July 1, 2021
The explosion was technically intentional, but clearly didn’t go the way the LAPD had expected. A bomb squad had prepared to safety detonate several the explosives, inclusing several home-made “improvised explosive devices” and approximately 5,000 pounds of illegal fireworks, inside of the iron chamber of a semi-truck specifically intended to contain explosions of the sort. However, once detonated, the vessel failed to perform its job.
Hey is there a tip line where we can send information about what caused the explosion? Would love to be able to clear up that it was the police.
— Sophia Benoit (@1followernodad) July 1, 2021
In a press conference, LAPD Chief Michel Moore addressed the mishap. “This vessel should have been able to safely dispose of that material. And you saw the resulting damage, and the total catastrophic failure of that containment vehicle,” he said.
“Clearly protocols were followed and pursued, but something happened in that containment vehicle that should have not happened and we don’t know why. We intend to find out why,” he added.
Hey is there a tip line where we can send information about what caused the explosion? Would love to be able to clear up that it was the police.
— Sophia Benoit (@1followernodad) July 1, 2021
Eric Garcetti, the mayor of Los Angeles, took to Twitter to respond to the incident as well.
I’ve directed the LAPD to conduct a full investigation into this incident, so we can better understand why this happened.
— MayorOfLA (@MayorOfLA) July 1, 2021
Illegal fireworks pose a great danger and can cost lives. We will prosecute those who use or possess them to the fullest extent of the law.
“I am closely monitoring the situation at 27th and San Pedro and am deeply concerned for those who were injured. @LAPDHQ and our Crisis Response Team continue to survey the neighborhood for more injuries and make sure the area is safe,” the mayor wrote wrote. “I’ve directed the LAPD to conduct a full investigation into this incident, so we can better understand why this happened.”
“Illegal fireworks pose a great danger and can cost lives. We will prosecute those who use or possess them to the fullest extent of the law,” he continued.
However Twitter users weren’t really having it, seeing as the police department was technically responsible for the explosion.
Hey I can investigate for you in less than a 1/100th the time for $0. Ready? It’s them. They set off the truck bomb, Eric.
— Sophia Benoit (@1followernodad) July 1, 2021
You know it was @LAPDHQ right??? https://t.co/Q7Mz5w5TU3
— People's City Council - Los Angeles (@PplsCityCouncil) July 1, 2021
Oh thanks, I’m sure LAPD will get to the bottom of how LAPD created a truck bomb. Great work as always Eric
— J 🦝🇵🇸 (@tra5hpanda) July 1, 2021
May this be a lesson to all: Don’t play with illegal fireworks.
