There was a massive explosion in Los Angeles Wednesday after a bomb squad tried to blow up explosive devices that were recently found in a home.
- In total, 17 people were injured from the explosion, including nine officers from the Los Angeles Police Department.
- None of the injuries appeared to be life-threatening, according to NPR.
What happened in the Los Angeles explosion?
The LAPD said Wednesday that authorities found thousands of pounds of illegal fireworks in a home, along with “improvised explosive devices,” which were “more unstable,” Fox News reports.
- A suspect connected to the seized fireworks was arrested at the home.
The bomb squad then took the devices into a bomb truck and attempted to detonate them. However, the explosion knocked over a car and shattered windows in a nearby neighborhood. The truck did not hold off the blast, according to The Los Angeles Times.
Why did the bombs explode?
LAPD chief Michel Moore said authorities are unclear what happened just yet.
- “Clearly protocols were followed and pursued, but something happened in that containment vehicle that should have not happened and we don’t know why,” Moore said, according to Fox News. “We intend to find out why.”
Why were the fireworks illegal?
It’s illegal to sell or own fireworks in Los Angeles, according to NPR. Police had received a tip about the home having boxes of explosives inside the house.
What’s next?
Like Moore said, the LAPD will conduct an investigation to see what happened in the bomb truck. Per NPR, the LAPD said the cleanup will take hours so officers can make the area safe for others.