Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Illegal Fireworks Set Off Several Blazes Across Southern California
Fireworks are generally pretty cool (who doesn't love seeing stuff blow up?), but illegal ones can get out of control and ruin some people's night.
Two buildings in South Los Angeles, including a mattress factory, on the 1600 block of East 76th Street were set ablaze around 10 p.m., and it took firefighters about four hours to finally knock down the fire. Although the cause of the fire remains under investigation, the owner of the business told NBC 4 that illegal fireworks were spotted inside the building and around the property. One firefighter suffered minor injuries while fighting the blaze.
On Twitter, the Los Angeles Fire Department also reported on another blaze in Venice that was possibly linked to illegal fireworks. A pile of trash on the 300 block of Rose Avenue caught fire, but firefighters were able to put it out in less than half an hour:
Support for LAist comes from
In Orange County, at least three fires were believed to be caused by illegal fireworks, including one in Stanton that displaced four people when the roof of their home caught on fire. In Laguna Hills a small brush fire was put out, while in Santa Ana a palm tree fire spread to an adjacent residential building. Those trees are flammable!
While fireworks banned in several cities in Southern California, a few do allow them, but not the kind that fly through the air or explode. Every year around 240 people go to the ER in the days around the July 4th holiday, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and firefighters are on even higher alert this year due to the dry drought conditions.
In Maine, a man died last night after shooting a firework off his head.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
UCLA and University of California leaders are fighting Trump’s demands for a $1.2 billion settlement over a litany of accusations, including that the campus permits antisemitism. -
Wasteland Weekend is all about souped-up rust buckets, spikey costumes and an ‘ideal apocalypse.’ -
The Shadow the Scientists initiative at UC Santa Cruz strives to demystify astronomical research. -
Some submissions to the Pasadena Humane Society were made by extremely talented artists. The others … tried their best. -
Isolated showers can still hit the L.A. area until Friday as remnants from the tropical storm move out. -
First aspiring spectators must register online, then later in 2026 there will be a series of drawings.
Best of LAist