Commercial grade fireworks found next to two vehicles in the parking lot of a Wilmington motel likely ignited a fire that left a man in critical condition with severe trauma, authorities said Saturday.
The fire was reported at about 8:30 p.m. Friday at the Crescent Inn Motel at 1104 W. Pacific Coast Highway, just east of the Harbor (110) Freeway, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
“After applying foam and knocking the fires down, the fire company found what appeared to be potentially dangerous explosives/fireworks near the vehicle,” the LAFD’s Jennifer Middleton said. “One adult male victim was found in critical condition with severe trauma, and was quickly extracted from the area due to what appears to be an explosion,” Middleton said.
The motel was evacuated Friday night along with a two-story home next to it. Ten adults and two children were initially displaced as a result of the fire.
“The LAPD Bomb Squad did an assessment of the incident and determined that it was commercial grade fireworks that was found on the ground next to the two vehicles involved,” Middleton said. “The bomb squad deemed the area safe as both vehicles were towed from the parking lot.”
Authorities said all the people displaced during the incident were rehoused into the motel at 1:45 a.m.