LA Fire Crews Respond to Massive Four Home Blaze With Fireworks Still Exploding

I was following updates in real time when word came out: a massive house fire had broken out in Pacoima, and it wasn’t just flames — fireworks were exploding right in the middle of it.

It happened around 9 p.m. on the 12900 block of Corcoran Street, a quiet residential stretch in Los Angeles. Neighbors heard loud popping sounds, and at first, some thought it was a celebration gone wrong. But it was worse.

By the time firefighters arrived, the entire street was glowing orange. Thick black smoke filled the sky. Fireworks—still active—were shooting off from what looked like a detached garage. One resident described it like a war zone.

Four homes were caught in the blaze. Some were fully engulfed, others partially burned. One car was destroyed. People were running out barefoot, pets were barking and confused, and a 33-year-old woman was seriously hurt. It didn’t feel like an accident—it felt like something that could’ve been prevented.

If you’ve ever thought fireworks are just a harmless July 4 tradition, this incident might make you think again.

Multi-Home Fire Declared a Major Emergency by LAFD

When I saw the LAFD tweet calling it a “major emergency,” I knew this wasn’t just another house fire. This was something else.

According to NBC Los Angeles, the fire started spreading fast—too fast for comfort. Fireworks were still going off as crews tried to get close, which meant they had to fight the fire defensively, keeping a safe distance while flames raged through multiple homes.

Over 100 firefighters were called in. You read that right—100+. That number alone tells you how dangerous this situation had become. It wasn’t just flames—they were dodging live fireworks, thick smoke, falling embers, and the risk of sudden explosions.

It took nearly an hour to knock the fire down. Imagine trying to save lives and homes while dodging literal missiles going off at random.

If you’ve ever wondered why firefighters sometimes seem to “hold back” during a blaze, this is why. Their job isn’t just to put out flames—it’s to do it without adding to the casualty list.

A similar situation happened recently when a home under construction caught fire in Fresno and spread next door—you can read about that here.

How Fireworks Turned This Fire Into a Minefield?

I know people love their DIY firework shows—especially around July 4—but here’s what they don’t think about: when those fireworks are improperly stored or light up at the wrong time, they become explosives. Not decoration.

That’s exactly what happened in Pacoima. Fireworks were being stored in a detached garage. When the fire hit, it was like lighting a fuse in a war zone. Explosions kept going off during the firefight, which made it nearly impossible for crews to get close without risking their own lives.

And let me tell you something else—this isn’t the first time. Every summer, emergency crews across California deal with fires made worse by fireworks. But what stood out here was how active they were during the fire. Imagine trying to drag a hose while bottle rockets explode next to your face.

This isn’t about scaring you—it’s about making you think twice. If you’re storing fireworks in your garage or basement, even just “safe & sane” ones, you’re playing with fire. Literally.

I’ve been seeing a lot of real-time safety updates and videos around neighborhood fires in LA this week—some even came through a WhatsApp alert group I’m in. The updates are surprisingly helpful if you’re near active incidents.

How 100+ Firefighters Worked to Stop the Damage?

You’ve got to respect the firefighters on this one. They didn’t just show up—they showed up hard. This was an all-hands-on-deck situation, and I don’t say that lightly.

From what’s been reported, around 100 LAFD personnel rolled in, including HazMat teams, Bomb Squad, the Arson unit, and even animal control. They had to call in SoCal Gas, utility crews, and the Mayor’s Crisis Response Team too. It wasn’t just a fire scene—it was a multi-agency emergency operation.

Here’s what made it even tougher: because of the fireworks, crews couldn’t do their usual interior attack. They had to switch to a defensive strategy, fighting the flames from the outside to protect surrounding homes and prevent the fire from jumping to dry brush nearby.

That takes discipline. It takes coordination. And it takes courage.

You and I might scroll past a story like this, but for those crews—it’s another night risking their lives so the rest of us don’t lose ours.

In another tragic fire, seven pets died in a mobile home blaze in Jefferson County—a harsh reminder of how much families lose in moments like these.

The People Inside: What We Know About the Victims

This part hits the hardest.

A 33-year-old woman was critically injured. She suffered significant burns and had to be rushed to a nearby trauma center. Another woman, 68, was treated for smoke inhalation. That’s someone’s daughter. Someone’s mother. Maybe someone you know.

And it wasn’t just people—an injured dog had to be taken to an emergency vet. Other animals were displaced. We don’t often talk about pets in fires, but they suffer too. Confused, scared, sometimes left behind in the chaos.

What breaks me is that this likely started as someone just storing fireworks at home. Maybe for a party. Maybe for resale. But now, there’s trauma, medical bills, destroyed homes, and people who may never fully recover.

If you’ve got family, pets, or even just neighbors you care about—think about them the next time someone says, “Let’s light a few off in the backyard.”

Have you ever seen something like this happen in your area? I’d really like to hear how your community handled it—drop a comment below and let’s talk about it.

Is This Illegal? And Who’s Being Held Responsible?

Here’s the part where things get murky—and serious.

LAFD and LAPD are still investigating, but initial signs suggest that the fireworks involved may not have been legal. According to California law, only “safe and sane” fireworks are allowed in certain cities, and even those come with limits. What exploded in Pacoima? It sounds like way more than your standard sparklers.

If it turns out these were illegal or improperly stored, charges could follow—ranging from civil fines to criminal negligence, especially with injuries involved.

And you know what? This isn’t new. Just last year, LAPD busted dozens of illegal fireworks sellers operating right out of residential homes across LA County. It’s a common practice around the holidays. People stock up, hoping to flip them for cash.

But that “quick hustle” can burn down a neighborhood—and that’s exactly what happened here.

If you’re ever tempted to store or sell fireworks on your property, ask yourself: is a few bucks worth destroying your street?

Illegal fireworks and poor fire safety have caused similar destruction before—like in Harnett County, where two houses were damaged during a sudden outbreak.

What You Can Do to Stay Safe and Actually Help

I’ll be straight with you—this kind of fire can happen again. And not just in Pacoima. Any neighborhood. Any block. All it takes is one box of fireworks stored in the wrong place.

So what can you do?

• Don’t store fireworks at home. If you already have them, soak them in water for 24 hours before tossing them.
• Report illegal fireworks anonymously to your local non-emergency line or apps like MyLA311.
• Talk to your neighbors. If someone’s planning a backyard show, ask if they know the risks—not to shame them, but to keep the street safe.

The truth is, we rely on each other to prevent fires like this. You don’t need a badge or uniform to protect your community. Just a little awareness and the guts to speak up.

The Aftermath: What This Fire Left Behind

It’s easy to scroll past a headline. But when you look closer, you see what’s really left behind.

Several families in Pacoima are now displaced. Their homes? Gone. Personal belongings? Destroyed. Pets injured, trauma left behind. And while the fire was knocked down in under an hour, the damage will take months—maybe years—to recover from.

One resident told ABC 7 it felt like a bomb had gone off. “I saw lights flashing, fireworks exploding—then the house next door was burning,” she said. That’s not something you forget.

And while officials were checking building safety and bringing in the Crisis Response Team, it’s the neighbors, friends, and strangers who will carry each other through the next chapter.

Maybe that’s the only good thing about tragedies like this: they show us how strong a community can be when it refuses to fall apart.

Final Thoughts

Let me give it to you straight—fireworks and fires go hand in hand. Every July, we see the same pattern: celebration turns to chaos.

In 2023 alone, California fire officials reported over 300 fireworks-related fires during the July 4 weekend. Some were minor. Others, like this one, destroyed homes and lives.

And it’s not just house fires. In dry areas like LA, a single spark can trigger a brush fire or worse. Remember the Palisades Fire? That started near residential land too—and forced evacuations for miles.

The line between celebration and catastrophe is thinner than most people think.

I’m not saying cancel July 4th. But maybe it’s time we stop risking our homes, pets, and kids for a 10-second bang in the sky.

If you want to read more about similar incidents across the U.S., check out our latest coverage on Build Like New.

Disclaimer: This article is based on verified reports from LAFD, local news agencies, and public safety sources. Details may change as the investigation progresses. For emergencies or reporting fireworks-related threats, contact your local fire department directly.