Firefighters across Los Angeles County scrambled to put out hundreds of fires on July 4th, with dozens of structures catching fire and at least two people dying in explosions from fireworks.
Police in Baldwin Park said the two men — a 33-year-old and a 24-year-old — died on Saturday while they were “handling illegal fireworks that detonated unexpectedly.” Both blasts occurred at around 9 p.m. in separate locations.
“Our condolences go out to the families and friends who lost their loved one last night in Baldwin Park,” police wrote on Facebook.
The deaths came as residents, many cooped-up due to the coronavirus pandemic, set off illegal fireworks in unprecedented numbers over the weekend.
Saturday through early morning Sunday was the second busiest 24-hour period in L.A. County Fire Department history, said Inspector Sky Cornell.
The only day in which county firefighters responded to more calls was Feb. 17, 2017, when a massive winter storm pounded the region, leading to widespread flooding.