Two people died in an explosion of fireworks that shook a neighborhood in Ontario, California, Tuesday afternoon.
Crews were battling a fire caused by “a large battery of fireworks”, including some that appeared to be of “commercial quality” and the kind you would see at “fireworks shows”, said Chief Ray Gayk of the Corps Ontario Fire Department.
Authorities did not release any details about the victims, and the crews evacuated homes in the area.
“What we’re doing now is working with the Ontario bombing and fire squad, clearing the area of any unexploded ordnance,” said Gayk.
Videos shared on social media showed explosions being launched into the air.
Pictures from a news helicopter showed horses being freed from a barn by firefighters; Gayk confirmed that a horse and dog were rescued from the scene of the explosion.
Ontario is about 40 miles east of Los Angeles.
This is breaking news and will be updated.
