An explosion at an apartment complex in Bell Gardens that left one person dead and injured two others, one of them a child, appears to have been caused by homemade explosives and fireworks, authorities said Wednesday.
Crews from the Los Angeles County Fire Department were called at 6:08 p.m. Tuesday to the 6500 block of Purdy Avenue, south of East Gage Avenue, where they encountered heavy flames at the two-story complex following the explosion, a department spokeswoman told City News Service.
Firefighters extinguished the flames shortly before 7:10 p.m. The second floor of the complex appeared to have significant damage, with a large section of the front missing and parts of the roof collapsed, video from the scene showed.
A boy and a man were rushed to a hospital. The child was treated and released and the man remained hospitalized Wednesday in critical condition, according to the fire department. A resident told reporters at the scene the man appeared to be badly burned.
On Wednesday, personnel from the Los Angeles County Office of Medical Examiner were back at the burned building, where a victim who had been killed in the explosion and fire was discovered, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
The medical examiner’s office confirmed it was investigating a death at the location.
“During their initial investigation and processing of the scene, (investigators) observed materials consistent with homemade explosives and fireworks,” according to an LASD statement that said the incident appears to be isolated and “there is no threat to the community.”
It took around 60 firefighters one hour to put out the fire, which could be seen from several blocks away.
Emilio Guerrero, who lives in the area, told reporters he saw “a big ball of fire” subsequent to the explosion.
Several families from the complex were displaced by the fire and the American Red Cross was contacted to assist them with temporary housing, officials said.
Anyone with information about the explosion was urged to contact the sheriff’s Arson Explosives Detail at 323-881-7500. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at lacrimestoppers.org.