An explosion in Ontario, California, killed two people on Tuesday, and authorities suspect fireworks were the cause.
The explosion occurred just before 1 p.m. local time, and residents reported the blast caused the ground to shake. The City of Ontario announced that police and the fire department arrived at the scene, saying a large number of fireworks ignited at a house and caused a residential house fire.
JUST IN – The Ontario Police and Fire Department in California are investigating a large explosion, that happened moments ago. pic.twitter.com/2CIiIyOgWr
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“We are aware of the loud explosion that was heard recently,” the city’s Twitter account wrote Tuesday afternoon. “The Ontario Police Department and the Ontario Fire Department are investigating it. Please stay clear of the area.”
Fireworks are illegal in Ontario, according to the city website, and violations can result in a $1,000 fine.
“Without knowing exactly what was in there, but due to the large explosion, we would — at a minimum — be investigating a felony or several felonies … depending on what cache of fireworks or explosive materials they had in there,” Ontario Police Department Chief Mike Lorenz said, according to KTLA, a local news outlet.
The resulting fire spread to a neighboring house. Helene Fierro, whose home is next to the one where the explosion occurred, said, “A whole wall fell on me … I actually had my pants in flames but I was able to get a hose.” She burnt her leg, and she said some of the windows in her home shattered due to the impact of the explosion.
Fireworks are common in the area, according to Fierro, who said, “They continuously do this — they do it every other day. It’s unfortunate it took this for the cops and the fire department to do something about it.”
Additional explosions reportedly occurred after the initial blast, as the fire ignited more fireworks at the location. Smoke from the explosions could reportedly be seen from Anaheim.
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The Washington Examiner reached out to the City of Ontario but did not immediately receive a response.
