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Police seize thousands of pounds of illegal fireworks from a home in California

AZUSA, Calif. — Police say they have seized about 1,700 pounds of illegal fireworks from a home Monday evening in California.

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According to the Associated Press, police began evacuating about 27 homes in Azusa, California, Monday around 3:30 p.m. as a safety precaution. Officers spent hours removing thousands of pounds of illegal fireworks from one home and a van parked in the front of it.

Azusa Police Department said the Los Angeles County District Attorney investigators and the Los Angeles County Fire Department Arson Unit both provided a search warrant at a home where they found a large number of illegal fireworks.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department bomb squad assisted Azusa police in moving the fireworks to a safe location, according to the AP.

APD expected the area to be closed for about five hours Monday but it was more like seven hours, allowing residents to return home around 10 p.m. During the seven-hour window, residents were able to stay at a cooling center until they got the all-clear.

The AP said one person was detained but no further information has been released. Some firework activities in Azusa are illegal including the use of firecrackers and bottle rockets. All types of fireworks are illegal in Los Angeles and other unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County.

On Tuesday, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive (ATF), released a news release regarding firework safety for the upcoming Fourth of July holiday.

“Understanding the dangers associated with illegal or improperly used or manufactured fireworks can prevent severe injuries, disfigurement, or even death. These illegal devices are not fireworks,” said ATF in a news release.

Call your local law enforcement if you know or believe someone is making or selling illegal fireworks. You can also call the ATF hotline at 1-888-ATF-BOMB (1-888-283-2662). More information can also be found on ATF’s website.