Azusa neighborhood evacuated after authorities find large cache of illegal fireworks

Los Angeles County investigators closed an entire neighborhood after they discovered a large cache of illegal fireworks inside of an Azusa home on Monday. 

According to the Azusa Police Department, officers evacuated the 900 block of West Hollyvale Street after investigators with the L.A. County District Attorney's Office and L.A. County Fire's Arson unit discovered the fireworks while serving a search warrant. 

The area was closed for about five hours as the L.A. County Sheriff's Department tried to "render the material safe." 

Residents were allowed to visit the cooling center at Memorial Park as they waited for authorities to finish the operation. 

According to LASD, authorities found 1700 pounds of illegal fireworks inside a storage container at a different location. The investigation later led them to an Azusa home where they found firework-making material and detained a man for questioning.

"It's very dangerous and volatile, particularly in a residential neighborhood," said Azusa PD Lieutenant Jake Bushey. 

While authorities brought a bomb disposal vehicle, the fire department said they did not plan on detonating anything in the neighborhood.

As the investigation continued throughout the week, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón issued a statement on the seizure of the fireworks. 

"By embedding our prosecutors and investigators in the communities that we serve, we were able to secure valuable information that led to the safe removal of thousands of pounds of illegal fireworks from an Azusa neighborhood," he said. "I am grateful that we could assist local law enforcement in protecting this community from the potential dangers posed by illegal fireworks."

According to Gascón's statement, authorities also seized an illegal firearm and $10,000 in cash. 

Residents said that people have been constantly lighting fireworks for the past two nights. 

"The last two nights that all you heard — fireworks," said neighbor Robert Escalera. "Just constantly, they're constantly going off." 

Several neighbors said they recently tried to reason with the people lighting them off to no avail.

"I've talked to a couple of them already," said Escalera. "I've confronted them. They don't care." 

Safe and sane fireworks are legal in Azusa but only on the Fourth of July.

On Tuesday, authorities reportedly disposed of the fireworks in an undisclosed and private area, detonating the entirety of the haul.