The fireworks explosions and fires that damaged four homes in Pacoima have also claimed a life.
The body of a 30-year-old man was recovered from the scene of the fires near 12933 Corcoran St., according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
The fires began just after 9 p.m. on Thursday, officials confirmed that several people and pets had been injured in the blazes and exploding fireworks.
They include a burned woman, 33, who was hospitalized in critical condition, as well as a 68-year-old woman who inhaled smoke but refused a visit to the hospital.
David Ortiz of the LAFD told KTLA’s Carlos Herrera that three others also complained of smoke inhalation but declined to go to the hospital.
“We still encourage those people to seek medical care with their primary care physician,” he said.
Additionally, a dog was rushed to an emergency veterinary hospital, while L.A. Animal Control was called for other injured pets.
The incident came just hours after a similar tragedy in Simi Valley, which also killed a person.
“It’s happening throughout the Southern California region,” Ortiz said. “We see more and more of these powerful illegal fireworks being sold out of private residences, and they’re being handled by people who are not trained to handle fireworks. We want to remind folks that not only are they endangering themselves, they’re endangering their neighbors.”
Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez noted that fireworks have “traumatized another neighborhood.”
“This incident is a reminder that the selfish and thoughtless use of fireworks are not harmless, they can be deadly and cause irreparable harm,” she said in a statement.
