13-year-old dies after massive explosion rips through Bell Gardens apartment building, family says; 2 others injured

BELL GARDENS, Calif. (KABC) — A body was found inside a Bell Gardens apartment building after a massive explosion tore through the structure and left two others hospitalized, authorities said.

The covered body was removed from inside the apartment in the 6500 block of Purdy Avenue on Wednesday morning, more than 12 hours after the destructive blast.

Los Angeles County medical examiner’s personnel placed the deceased inside a van, and the body was removed from the scene.

The individual’s identity was not immediately released, but family members who spoke with Eyewitness News at the scene on Wednesday said the victim was a 13-year-old boy.

Relatives also said a 10-year-old and a 21-year-old were rescued from the building. The 10-year-old was treated at a hospital and has since been released.

“The injuries to the older of the two has been described as burns over 90% of his body in extreme critical condition,” LASD Lt. Michael Modica said.

A witness, Jose Mendez, said the adult’s injuries were severe.

“He was all burned up… His skin was peeled off basically,” he said.

An L.A. County fire excavator was brought in to dig through the rubble and search for any remaining explosive material.

What happened in the Bell Gardens deadly explosion?

The incident occurred shortly after 6 p.m. Tuesday at the two-story building, igniting a fire that was later knocked down by 60 Los Angeles County firefighters.

A bystander’s video of the fire showed flames shooting into the sky. AIR7 footage showed shattered windows, a blown-off roof, and a large hole on the side of the building in the aftermath of the blaze.

Two people who spoke with ABC7 on Tuesday said another child was possibly missing, but as of late Tuesday night, the L.A. County Fire Department was unable to confirm if a child was unaccounted for.

Detectives from the sheriff’s Special Enforcement Bureau – Arson and Explosives Detail also responded to the scene.

Roxanna Portillo and some of her neighbors told Eyewitness News they heard and felt the explosion that rocked the Bell Gardens neighborhood.

Neighbors said they were getting ready to enjoy dinner when it happened.

Rebecca Mena and other neighbors said the unit where the explosion happened was known in the neighborhood as a place where someone was making homemade fireworks.

“During their initial investigation and processing of the scene, they observed materials consistent with homemade explosives and fireworks,” the sheriff’s department said.

Four families were displaced by the explosion. The American Red Cross is assisting them with temporary housing.

“Neighbors have reported that this house has been known to launch fireworks in the past,” said Modica.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.

City News Service contributed to this report.