WILMINGTON, CA – A powerful explosion involving illegal fireworks inside a vehicle left one man fighting for his life and displaced 12 motel residents in Wilmington on Friday night.
Explosion At The Crescent Inn
The incident occurred in the parking lot of the Crescent Inn on West Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), between Wilmington Boulevard and Frigate Avenue. According to the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), a cache of illegal fireworks suddenly detonated inside a BMW parked at the scene.
Firefighters arrived to find a man near the vehicle suffering from severe trauma and burns over his body. A quick-thinking neighbor and the motel manager attempted to use fire extinguishers to put out the flames consuming the victim before emergency crews arrived. The unidentified man was rushed to a local hospital, where he remains in critical condition.
Evacuations and Road Closures
The intensity of the blast and subsequent fire forced authorities to evacuate all 22 rooms of the motel. The LAFD confirmed that 12 people—including 10 adults and two children—have been displaced due to the incident.
Officials also noted that a pool service truck parked nearby, which contained hazardous chlorine products, sustained damage in the fire. Fortunately, the chemical products did not ignite. Pacific Coast Highway was completely shut down in both directions during the emergency response.
Investigation Points to Smoking
While the exact cause of the detonation remains under investigation, fire officials believe the man may have been smoking inside the vehicle where the illegal fireworks were stored.
LAFD Assistant Chief Carlos Calvillo issued a stern warning following the blast, calling it a tragic example of how extremely dangerous illegal fireworks can be. The Los Angeles Police Department is assisting with the ongoing investigation.
