Nearly one month after a massive explosion rocked an Ontario neighborhood, several of the 80 homes damaged still need repairs. At Erin Uigalelei’s home, boards still cover windows blown out by the blast. She said she filed a claim with the city of Ontario to help cover the cost of repairs, but it was denied. “Our insurance is covering it, but we have to still pay the deductible,” she said. “We have to come up with $1,000, so that’s all that I asked for was help with was the deductible.”
A spokesperson for the city of Ontario said the city was not responsible for the explosion or the estimated $3.2 million in damage it caused. In total, 11 claims filed with the city have been denied.
“I feel like they do play a role in the responsibility because people have complained multiple times that that house has been doing illegal fireworks,” Uigalelei said.