A late-night blaze triggered by fireworks storage inside a residential garage left one man dead and five others injured in Los Angeles’ Pacoima area, shaking the neighborhood with fiery explosions. The fire, fed by active fireworks, spread rapidly to four homes and multiple units, forcing over 130 firefighters into action. Authorities also discovered a gas leak and fallen power lines during the chaos. As investigations unfold, officials urge the public to avoid home-use fireworks, calling for a return to safer, professional displays before tragedy strikes again.

🔥 STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• One man dead, five others injured after fireworks-triggered fire in Pacoima

• Fireworks stored in garage exploded, igniting nearby homes and brush

• Four homes, ADUs, and a vehicle damaged

• Fire took 53 minutes and 130+ firefighters to control

• Gas leak and live wires complicated response

• Animals injured, including at least one dog taken to emergency vet

• Fireworks continued exploding during fire, worsening conditions

• Authorities urge public to attend professional firework displays only

A late-night residential fire triggered by a cache of fireworks erupted Thursday in the Pacoima neighborhood of Los Angeles, claiming the life of one man and injuring at least five others. The fire quickly escalated, spreading across multiple homes and prompting a swift and large-scale response from city firefighters.

According to the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), the fire broke out just after 9 p.m., when crews arrived to find three single-story homes already engulfed in flames. Witnesses reported hearing loud explosions, which were later confirmed to be active fireworks still detonating inside a detached garage.

“There was a significant amount of fireworks being stored in the area,” said LAFD Firefighter David Ortiz during an interview with KABC. “They were actively going off during the fire, contributing to the danger and making it harder to control the spread.”

The chaos and intensity of the fire were felt throughout the neighborhood. One local resident, visibly shaken, described the moment the explosions began.

“It felt like an explosion,” the resident said.
“The fireworks started going off and sooner or later all these fires started coming. I felt the impact — you could actually feel it. As soon as I heard that, I turned onto the street to see if anyone needed help, and more fireworks just kept going off.”

As the fire intensified, it didn’t just consume the garage where the fireworks were stored. Flames spread rapidly to surrounding structures — ultimately involving four primary residences, multiple attached and detached accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and even a parked vehicle. The dry summer brush in the area and active explosions from the fireworks added further fuel to the already volatile situation.

It took over 130 firefighters nearly an hour to bring the fire under control. Knockdown was officially declared at 9:51 p.m., approximately 53 minutes after the initial emergency call. By that time, the damage had been done.

Among the victims was a man believed to be in his 30s, who was found deceased after the fire was extinguished. A 33-year-old woman was transported to a hospital in critical but stable condition. Four others were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation, but they declined further medical attention.

The fire also had an impact on local animals. Several pets were injured in the blaze, including at least one dog that was taken immediately to an emergency veterinary hospital.

While tackling the blaze, firefighters also had to address several secondary hazards. A gas leak was discovered at one of the homes, leading to a prompt response from the local gas company. Additionally, live electrical wires had collapsed behind the homes, forcing officials to call in the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power to manage the dangerous situation.

At this time, the exact cause of the fire is still under investigation. However, early signs point to improper storage and detonation of fireworks as the likely trigger.

Speaking about the broader issue of fireworks in residential neighborhoods, Firefighter Ortiz made a strong plea to the public:

“Right now, we are encouraging people to leave the fireworks to the professionals,” he said.
“Obviously, people who are not trained to handle fireworks are storing and even selling them out of private residences. We need to change that culture — change it to one where folks go see a professional show.”

He also emphasized the fire risk in the region, especially during summer months.

“Southern California is not really a safe place to detonate these fireworks,” Ortiz added.
“They are very powerful and can start fires. We have a lot of dry vegetation. It doesn’t take much for something like this to happen.”

Authorities continue to investigate how the fireworks came to be stored at the residence and whether any illegal sales or activities were involved. As Los Angeles enters peak fire season, officials warn that even small sparks can lead to devastating outcomes — especially when combined with combustible materials and densely packed residential areas.

The devastating fire in Pacoima serves as a grim reminder of the dangers posed by storing and igniting fireworks in residential areas. As officials work to determine the exact cause, the incident highlights the urgent need for stricter awareness and regulation around fireworks use. With one life lost, several injured, and multiple homes destroyed, the tragedy echoes far beyond the flames—calling for a collective shift toward safer celebrations and responsible handling of hazardous materials in urban neighborhoods.

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