Illegal fireworks cause fire in Los Angeles; man critically injured
by Joe Fisher · UPIJuly 5 (UPI) -- One man was critically injured in a fire in Los Angeles Friday after illegal fireworks went off, setting two vehicles on fire in a motel parking lot.
The 22-room Crescent Inn motel in the Wilmington neighborhood of Los Angeles was completely evacuated from the incident. Los Angeles Fire Department Assistant Chief Carlos Calvillo said first responders discovered a wounded man near the burning BMW when they arrived on the scene.
"This is a good example of messing with illegal fireworks, fireworks in general, extremely dangerous," he said. "This person's body was severely traumatized from this incident."
Investigators said commercial grade fireworks were found near the burning vehicles.
Emergency responders were called to a report of two vehicles on fire at about 8:30 p.m. PDT Friday. The Los Angeles Police Department also responded to the scene.
A single family home next to the motel was also evacuated. Twelve people, including two children, were displaced by the fire.
The cause of the fireworks going off has not been determined. Fire officials say they believe the man was smoking in the BMW.