Deadly explosion at Bell Gardens apartment complex possibly linked to homemade explosives

Teen dies in Bell Gardens apartment fire

A 13-year-old was found dead inside a Bell Gardens apartment after an explosion and fire ripped through the complex. 

BELL GARDENS, Calif. - The body of a teenager was found inside a burned-out building following an explosion and fire at a Bell Gardens apartment complex. The fire left another child and an adult injured and displaced multiple families.

Explosion rocks neighborhood 

What we know:

The explosion happened Tuesday evening at a two-story apartment complex in the 6500 block of Purdy Avenue, near the intersection of Eastern Avenue and Gage Avenue.

Los Angeles County Fire Department crews were dispatched just after 6 p.m. and arrived within minutes to find heavy fire conditions at the building. Firefighters fought the blaze defensively as flames tore through the structure.

More than 60 firefighters responded to the scene. The fire was knocked down around 7:06 p.m., roughly an hour after crews arrived.

Video from witnesses showed flames shooting into the sky. A neighbor captured the massive blast on surveillance footage. 

Deadly apartment building fire, explosion under investigation

Authorities are investigating the cause of a fire that resulted in an explosion at an apartment building in Bell Gardens Wednesday morning. One person was killed and two others injured.

Teen found dead

Authorities later confirmed that a body was found inside the apartment building. On Wednesday, police confirmed the body found in the apartment matches that of a 13-year-old that was reported missing after the explosion.

The identity of the teen has yet to be released. 

Fire officials confirmed two other people were transported to the hospital. A child, believed to be about 10-years-old, was listed in stable condition, while an adult was in critical condition.

It appears no one else was in the complex at the time. 

At least four families were displaced after the building was damaged and later red-tagged. In total, 17 adults and seven children were affected. 

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department says the case is now being handled as a death investigation. 

What they're saying:

Neighbors didn't want to speak on camera, but say that the location is known for fireworks and loud parties. 

Meanwhile, the teen's school, Suva Intermediate School, sent a statement saying, "We are aware of a recent tragic incident that occurred in the Bell Gardens community that has impacted our school community. Our thoughts are with all those affected during this difficult time. We will share updates as appropriate while continuing to respect the privacy of all impacted families.
Please be advised that our Student, Family, and Wellness (SFW) Crisis Response Team is on campus, and district crisis counselors are available to provide support to students and staff. We encourage families to check in with their children and seek additional support if concerns arise. Additional resources are available through the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health Access Line at 1 (800) 854-7771 or by dialing 211 within Los Angeles County."

Dig deeper:

Materials consistent with homemade explosives and fireworks were found during their initial investigation, according to a press release. Investigators also found ammunition in the apartment.

Detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Special Enforcement Bureau — Arson and Explosives Detail responded to the scene and are aiding in the investigation.

What we don't know:

Investigators have not released the identity of the deceased or said whether the person lived in the apartment building.