safety
2 brothers killed, an ADU blown out: Fireworks already creating chaos in LA before Fourth of July
By Helen Jeong at NBC Los Angeles (KNBC)
· June 24, 2026
· 3 min read
It doesn’t have to the Fourth of July or any kind of a holiday. Los Angeles has no shortage of deadly incidents caused by illegal fireworks, including commercial-grade explosives that could take out an entire block or neighborhood.
Last May, a 26-year-old man in Jefferson Park was killed after...
Key takeaway Last May, a 26-year-old man in Jefferson Park was killed after illegal fireworks blew up an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) attached to a garage, according to authorities.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The recent seizures of illegal fireworks in Pasadena and the Inland Empire are a stark reminder of the dangers that exist in Los Angeles County. With the county being a major hub for illegal fireworks, the risk of devastating fires and loss of life is ever-present. The fact that 285 tons of fireworks were confiscated in the county last year, accounting for half of the state's total, underscores the magnitude of the problem. As the county faces elevated wildfire conditions, the prosecution of those involved in the manufacture, sale, and use of illegal fireworks is a crucial step in preventing further tragedies. The lack of drone technology in LA County to monitor and track down fireworks, unlike cities such as Anaheim and San Jose, is a notable gap that needs to be addressed to effectively combat this issue.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 24, 2026 ·
Source: NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? It doesn’t have to the Fourth of July or any kind of a holiday. Los Angeles has no shortage of deadly incidents caused by illegal fireworks, including commercial-grade explosives that could take out an entire block or neighborhood.
Last May, a 26-year-old man in Jefferson Park was killed after...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 24, 2026 by NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Helen Jeong at NBC Los Angeles (KNBC). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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