LOS ANGELES, CA — A 17-year-old teen died after a fireworks explosion in the Vermont Knolls neighborhood of South Los Angeles. The incident occurred on Wednesday night and prompted a response from multiple LAPD units and emergency services.
According to authorities, officers arrived around 9:30 p.m. to the 400 block of West 84th Street, where they found the teen severely burned. Paramedics rushed him to a hospital, but his injuries were fatal.
Initial investigations indicate that the teen was handling fireworks in the backyard of a home. Boxes of professional-grade pyrotechnics were found at the scene, and investigators are working to determine whether he was attempting to make or modify explosive devices when the blast occurred.
Although the explosion caused alarm, no evacuations were necessary. The LAPD Bomb Squad was called in to inspect the area and ensure there were no additional hazards.
This tragic incident highlights ongoing warnings about the dangers of unauthorized fireworks and the risks of handling explosive materials without expert supervision.