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Two people are dead after fireworks exploded in an Ontario, California, home Tuesday afternoon.
He also confirms that there is one known survivor of the explosion who had “minor lacerations.”
During a press conference, Fire Chief Raymond J. Gayk said, “We have confirmed two fatalities. I’m not sure if they are children or adults, male or female at this point.”
The incident occurred in the 400 block of West Francis Street of Ontario, which is almost 40 miles east of Los Angeles.
Police Chief Mike Lorenz said in a press conference that the Ontario Police Department are “at minimum investigating a felony, or multiple felonies” because fireworks are illegal in the city.
“If there are fireworks that take it to that [felony] level we will probably pursue that,” he says.
At the time of the incident, he told PEOPLE, “There was a large cache of fireworks on scene which ignited the explosion which caused the structure fire.”
The City of Ontario released abrief statementon Twitter after the explosion occurred.
“We are aware of the loud explosion that was heard recently,” the statement said. “The Ontario Police Department and the Ontario Fire Department are investigating it. Please stay clear of the area.”
The Ontario Fire Department also announced that there is an evacuation order for W Francis St and W Maple Ave between Fern and San Antonio. “A temporary Care and Reception Center is being established at the De Anza Community Center, 1405 S. Fern,” the departmentsaid.
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Inanother tweet, the department announced road closures on Francis, Locust, and Maple streets between Fern and San Antonio.
source: people.com