Pacoima home is 'essentially a bomb,' officials to burn up remaining explosive chemicals
Pacoima explosion: Crew set fire to house filled in chemicals, fireworks
A day after a home explosion that was linked to fireworks occurred in Pacoima, crews conducted controlled burns to remedy the situation. Officials said evidence was found of chemicals used to produce fireworks, and LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell on Friday said some of those chemicals would react explosively to water -- prompting the decision to do a controlled burn.
LOS ANGELES - A home blew up in Pacoima on Thursday. Officials said the explosion was caused by illegal fireworks.
More than a day later, the neighborhood is still under evacuation, as crews work to dispose of more explosive material at the home.
Evacuation orders
Crews conducted a controlled burn around 11 p.m. Friday, essentially lighting fire to the property to burn the explosive material still on site. As a precaution, about 60 homes in the neighborhood were ordered to evacuate.
All homes in the following zones have been evacuated:
- Between Terra Bella Street and Pierce Street, and
- Between the 5 Freeway and Laurel Canyon Boulevard
Pacoima home is 'essentially a bomb," ATF officials say as evacuations expand
More than 60 homes were evacuated after fireworks led to a massive explosion at a home in Pacoima. Crews are now conducting controlled burns to mitigate the problem and prevent another explosion.
Pacoima home explodes
What we know:
Firefighters were called out to the home on W. Remington Street just after 9 a.m. on Thursday. When they got there, they found the wreckage of the home, which had partially collapsed from the explosion.
Dozens of homes in the neighborhood were evacuated.
Inside the building, according to LAFD officials, were a 24-year-old man and four dogs. Paramedics took the man to the hospital. He had burns to more than half his body. As of Friday evening, he was still in critical condition.
Crews were able to rescue all four dogs.
Cleanup still underway at site of Pacoima home that exploded
Multiple homes in a neighborhood in Pacoima remain under an evacuation order a day after a house exploded. Investigators believe there are chemicals in the debris that could still explode.
When crews investigated the home, they found illegal homemade fireworks and other explosive materials.
Unstable chemicals found
Why you should care:
Crews are worried the materials could cause another explosion.
LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said that the "chemicals present in the home are unstable, highly volatile and present significant risk to both first responders and the public."
But it's not as simple as removing the materials. Because the chemicals are so volatile, officials have decided the safest way to get rid of them is with a controlled burn.
Pacoima explosion: Illegal fireworks were manufactured at home
A criminal investigation is now underway after illegal fireworks being manufactured at a home in Pacoima caused a massive explosion.
Burning the materials, officials say, is the safest way to get rid of them.
More homes in the area were evacuated as a result, LA Mayor Karen Bass said at a Friday press conference. To make sure other homes aren't damaged by the burning explosives, Bass said that thermal gel was placed on nearby homes, and that a special fence would be put up around the burn, to keep any projectiles in.
‘Essentially a bomb’
What they're saying:
Officials said burning the materials was their only option.
"The controlled burn is the only viable method to safely mitigate the threat posed on this side," McDonnell said, encouraging everyone to stay away from the area.
"This house is essentially a bomb," said Kenny Cooper with the ATF.
RELATED: Man critically injured, dogs rescued in LA house explosion linked to fireworks
Residents evacuated
What we don't know:
As of Friday, it's still unclear when evacuated residents will be allowed back into their homes.
"This is going to be a very potentially slow, but a methodical and cautious approach," said McDonnell.
The ATF is leading a criminal investigation into the explosion.
Officials have not identified the man who was found after the explosion.
The Source: Information provided by the Los Angeles Police Department, the Los Angeles Fire Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and LA Mayor Karen Bass.