A 17-year-old boy has died in California following a devastating accident involving a firework that exploded as he was handling it. The incident occurred in the backyard of a home in the Vermont Knolls area of South Los Angeles.
Emergency Response and Fatal Injuries
Police and paramedics rushed to the scene around 9 p.m. on Wednesday, 3 December 2025, after neighbours reported hearing a loud blast and seeing smoke. They discovered the teenager with critical injuries. He was transported to a hospital but was later pronounced dead. No other individuals were hurt in the explosion.
Investigation Uncovers Illegal Firework
Investigators from the Los Angeles Police Department are working to pinpoint the exact cause. Early indications suggest the blast involved a malfunctioning homemade or commercially produced high-powered firework. At the scene, authorities discovered a box for a device labelled "Cash Game 357".
This is a large aerial firework 'cake' or 'repeater' designed to launch 357 individual shots in a continuous display. Under California state law, such powerful devices are considered both dangerous and illegal for consumer use. It remains unclear if this specific firework was responsible for the fatal blast.
Controlled Detonation and National Safety Warnings
The investigation required specialist support. A bomb squad was called in to secure the area and any remaining explosive materials. In the early hours of Thursday, around 6 a.m., the squad conducted a controlled detonation after finding additional hazardous items on the property.
This tragic event highlights the severe risks associated with fireworks, particularly illegal or powerful varieties. According to safety advocacy group MySafeLA, fireworks cause an average of five fatalities per year in the United States, with children often among the victims. Furthermore, approximately 9,100 fireworks-related injuries require hospital treatment annually across the nation.
