At least 17 injured in accidental bomb squad disposal truck explosion

LOS ANGELES / CNN — At least 17 people were injured after an explosion went off inside a police bomb squad disposal truck in Los Angeles on Wednesday, officials said.

“This vessel should have been able to dispose of this material,” Los Angeles Police Department Chief Michel Moore said. “Something happened in that containment vehicle that should not have happened and we do not know why.”

Before the explosion, LAPD officers responded to reports of illegal fireworks, Moore said. When officers arrived, they found commercial-grade fireworks stacked about 8 to 10 feet high. They also found improvised explosives.

The explosion happened when officers intentionally detonated the improvised devices in the truck, Moore said.

The illegal fireworks came from out of state and were intended for sale around the Fourth of July holiday, he added. One person was arrested and charged with possession of a destructive device, the chief said.

Of the 17 people injured, 10 were responding officers and seven were civilians, Moore said. He didn’t describe the condition of those who were injured.

In an earlier statement, the Los Angeles Fire Department said there 16 people were injured, including nine members of the LAPD, described as “all in fair condition with minor injuries” and one member of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, who had minor injuries.

Of the six civilians mentioned in the statement, the LAFD said three sustained serious injuries and the other three had minor injuries.

Mayor Eric Garcetti has said there would be a full investigation into the incident.

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