Fireworks explosion rocks California neighborhood, leaving two dead

Ontario, California - A violent explosion in California left two people dead due to a tragic fireworks accident.

Many locals shared videos of the explosion on Twitter (collage).
Many locals shared videos of the explosion on Twitter (collage).  © twitter.com/prudencepms and twitter.com/damian_r24

According to ABC 7, the fatal accident occurred on Tuesday at 12:30 PM in the city of Ontario, near Los Angeles.

Suddenly, a huge amount of fireworks went off inside a house, releasing a cloud of smoke nearly a hundred feet high as well as colorful fireworks explosions in the midday sky.

Police said two people died in the detonation, and several others were injured.

Baltimore bridge collapses: Frantic search and rescue efforts after catastrophic accident
Accidents Baltimore bridge collapses: Frantic search and rescue efforts after catastrophic accident

The fire spread to at least one other building and a ranch nearby, and windows were broken in several homes in the neighborhood. As a precaution, firefighters and police evacuated the immediate area around the accident site.

Video of the explosion spread all over Twitter. In some clips, bystanders can be seen being thrown to the ground by the violence of the explosion.

Neighbors told ABC 7 that the incident felt like a series of explosions followed by several small earthquakes.

Investigators are looking into whether illegal fireworks were involved

Smoke rises after a large explosion of fireworks went off in a residential neighborhood of Ontario.
Smoke rises after a large explosion of fireworks went off in a residential neighborhood of Ontario.  © IMAGO / ZUMA Press

"It felt like something hit the roof, or a car crashed into the house," one person said. Another woman added that the explosion even threw her against a wall.

The police and the FBI are now investigating whether the whole thing was just an accident or whether a crime was committed, in particular whether illegal fireworks were involved.

There had already been some prior complaints about the residents of the exploded house.

US soldiers honored in Germany after heroic highway rescue: "You saved people's lives"
Accidents US soldiers honored in Germany after heroic highway rescue: "You saved people's lives"

According to media reports, almost 50 firefighters were busy extinguishing the blaze. Before they could enter the house, an explosives squad had to search the scene of the accident.

Cover photo: twitter.com/prudencepms and twitter.com/damian_r24

More on Accidents: