Federal and local authorities launched a controlled burn late Friday night at the Pacoima home linked to a stockpile of volatile explosive materials. After exhausting all safer alternatives, the burn was deemed necessary to neutralize the risk posed by the property, which investigators described as “essentially a bomb.”
The home, located in a residential neighborhood, has been the focus of intense scrutiny since Thursday as bomb disposal teams from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), and Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) assessed options for safely disposing of explosive chemicals and firework-making materials discovered inside.
At a press conference, ATF Special Agent in Charge Kenneth Cooper announced the decision to initiate a slow, methodical burn to “render this explosive device safe.” At 11 p.m., officials ignited the property using diesel fuel. Loud explosions, believed to be fireworks, erupted as flames engulfed the house. A small spot fire ignited nearby but was promptly extinguished by a remote-controlled firefighting robot.
To protect surrounding homes, the LAPD evacuated 60 residences. Firefighters applied thermal gel to nearby buildings and installed metal mesh fencing to stop potential projectiles. Sand berms and containment lines were also used to limit water runoff and chemical spread. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) monitored air quality during the operation.
“This is a dangerous situation,” LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell emphasized. “Some of these chemicals are reactive to water and cannot be transported safely. A controlled burn is the only viable method.”
McDonnell compared the hazard to that of a meth lab, citing the high reactivity and instability of the materials. “They put themselves and everyone around them at serious risk,” he said.
Fire Chief Ronnie Villanueva added, “Our primary concern is life, property, and the environment. We’ve taken every precaution to confine the fire to the origin site.”
The burn followed days of deliberation by bomb technicians and first responders, who concluded that even moving the explosives could trigger a catastrophic blast.
Friday’s methodical burn echoes hard-learned lessons from a 2021 botched detonation in South Los Angeles when the LAPD Bomb Squad detonated fireworks without properly weighing them. The resulting explosion injured 17 people and damaged dozens of buildings. Investigations revealed that officers relied solely on visual estimates. The containment vessel used in that incident was propelled 1,300 feet through the neighborhood.
In a 2022 report, the Office of the Inspector General criticized the LAPD’s outdated methods. “We find that changes have to occur at all levels of operation of this bomb squad,” then-Chief Michel Moore said. “Decisions that we now look at in hindsight cannot be justified.”
The city eventually paid $21 million to settle claims related to the 2021 explosion.
This time, officials stressed that all procedures were followed with precision and backed by appropriate resources.
“We have more resources on-site than ever before,” Villanueva stated. “We’re fully committed to handling this safely and professionally.”
As the fire subsided, initial reports indicated the operation successfully eliminated the threat without damaging additional property. Residents will be allowed to return once authorities confirm the area is safe.
“This has been a highly dangerous and delicate situation,” said ATF’s Cooper. “Thanks to teamwork and preparation, we’ve neutralized a significant threat to the Pacoima community.”
Authorities will continue air and soil testing and monitor the site for lingering hazards before declaring the area fully cleared.
