Name: 2 killed when massive fireworks cache sets off explosions, fire at Ontario home
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2 killed when massive fireworks cache sets off explosions, fire at Ontario home

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Welcome, Your AccountLog OutBy and ABC7.com staff ONTARIO, Calif. (KABC) -- Two people were killed when a massive explosion involving fireworks ignited multiple structure fires in an Ontario neighborhood Tuesday afternoon, prompting evacuations of the immediate area.The incident occurred shortly after 12:30 p.m. in the 400 block of West Francis Street, shattering nearby windows and sending a large plume of smoke into the air.Several blocks around the incident were evacuated and a temporary shelter was set up.Videos posted to social media showed flames and a thick plume of smoke rising from the home, and then a long series of fireworks shooting up into the air, sending nearby pedestrians running for cover. Neighbors described hearing a series of explosions that felt like small earthquakes.Steve Bailey, who lives nearby, said his whole house shook from the initial explosion."It felt like something hit the roof, or a car crashed into the house," Bailey told ABC7.Officials later put crime scene tape around the house and covered two bodies at the scene, confirming there were two fatalities in addition to some injuries. Police said they were investigating the incident as a possible felony because of the illegal fireworks.They described the house as containing a large cache of commercial-grade fireworks and said there had been complaints about the property previously. who lives next to the house, said there have been issues with the home before."This happens year-round. I always hear explosions coming from the house, illegal fireworks," Fiero said. "Explosion bombs, just loud sounds. It was constant all the time. I did call authorities plenty of times. There wasn't much they could do, I guess they had to catch them in the act."This time, as soon as she heard something she started recording. Her footage shows her asking about the safety of other people in her own home and then a series of explosions rips out the glass, creating a terrifying scene."I immediately just thought of my parents, they were in the front house," she said. "My small animals are in the area, I called for them. I wasn't able to do much but get myself out to safety."Outside the home, she saw a car in flames and thinks perhaps that was the source of one of the explosions that shook her home.As Fiero spoke to ABC7, she showed her jeans, which were burned and ripped open just above the knee with burn scars on her thigh. She says she grabbed some water to put out the flames.Neighbors across the street had their home's windows shattered. Their grandchildren were playing in the back yard at the time and narrowly avoided serious injury.Suzie Owens says she was physically thrown more than once by the force of the multiple explosions."We all started screaming. I came outside, then I hear gunshots, it sounded like," Owens said. "Then it was fireworks. It was another boom, an explosion. It literally threw me off the grass."She went inside the house and another explosion threw her against the wall."No one got hurt," she said. "I'm glad the little one decided to move quickly or that glass would've fallen on her. She was in the bedroom."Several blocks from the scene, footage recorded by a witness showed smoke rising above the fire while the distinctive sound of fireworks exploding was clearly audible. Meanwhile, multiple car alarms that were set off could also be heard.A later tweet from the city said the fire erupted after "a large amount of fireworks at a house ignited." At least one other home was also burning, along with several outdoor structures on a ranch-like property.Video from AIR7 HD showed firefighters rescuing a horse that was trapped in an enclosure, with spot fires burning dangerously close by.About 50 firefighters were involved in battling the flames. Officials were concerned about the possibility of more unexploded fireworks at the home. A bomb squad was expected to comb the scene before firefighters moved in to the home.Just after 2 p.m., fire officials issued an evacuation order for Francis Street and Maple Avenue Between Fern and San Antonio avenues. A temporary care and reception center was established at the De Anza Community Center, located at 1405 South Fern Avenue in Ontario.Eastbound and westbound traffic on Francis, Maple and Locust streets was shut down between Euclid and San Antonio avenues.Want to stream this coverage right on your TV? Search "ABC7 Los Angeles" on your streaming device and download our free app -Related topics:Copyright © 2021 KABC-TV. All Rights Reserved.More Videos From CNN Newsource affiliatesTOP STORIES

Welcome, Your AccountLog OutBy and ABC7.com staff ONTARIO, Calif. (KABC) -- Two people were killed when a massive explosion involving fireworks ignited multiple structure fires in an Ontario neighborhood Tuesday afternoon, prompting evacuations of the immediate area.The incident occurred shortly after 12:30 p.m. in the 400 block of West Francis Street, shattering nearby windows and sending a large plume of smoke into the air.Several blocks around the incident were evacuated and a temporary shelter was set up.Videos posted to social media showed flames and a thick plume of smoke rising from...

2 killed when massive fireworks cache sets off explosions, fire at Ontario home

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