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A California teen died when he detonated a fireworks device in the backyard of a home in South Los Angeles, authorities said.
Police and paramedics responded to a home in the Vermont Knolls neighborhood around 9 p.m. Wednesday after witnesses reported hearing an explosion and seeing smoke coming from the backyard.
The 17-year-old, whose identity has not been released, was reportedly handling fireworks when they accidentally caught fire.
Officers found him with serious injuries. He was taken to the hospital, where he was declared dead.
No other injuries were reported.
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Investigators are working to determine the exact cause of the explosion, although early indications from the Los Angeles Police Department suggest it involved a malfunctioning homemade or high-powered firework.
At the scene, officers found a box labeled “Cash Game 357”, a 357-shot aerial firework “cake” or “repeater” known for its long, continuous display of aerial effects. It is unclear whether this caused the explosion.
This type of device is considered both dangerous and illegal under California law.
A bomb squad was called in to assist in the investigation and to secure the remaining fireworks and debris.
On Thursday morning, around 6am, the squad carried out a controlled explosion after discovering additional explosive material at the property. fox 11 Report.
About one in five people, often children, are killed by fireworks each year across the country, according to Mycephala , On average, 9,100 people are sent to hospital with fireworks injuries.