Fire marshal investigation forces cancellation of La Puente's fireworks display
A pending investigation into a fireworks contractor by the State Fire Marshal has lead to the cancellation of a Fourth of July fireworks display in La Puente and several neighboring cities.
According to a news release by the City of La Puente, the fireworks show will be replaced with "a unique advanced, state-of-the-art laser light display designed with horizontal lasers that will not enter airspace."
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"Despite the unforeseen cancellation of our fireworks show by the State Fire Marshal, the City of La Puente has worked to substitute the fireworks show with a laser light display that will dazzle and awe both children and adults alike," City Manager Bob Lindsey said in the release.
Investigators told CBSLA that fireworks vendor, a locally based company called, Exposhows Fireworks Events, was unlicensed. When the business was raided Saturday, authorities said they found fireworks that had counterfeit State Fire Marshal seals and homemade fireworks that could have endangered the public.
Mayor of La Puente, Charlie Klinakis, expressed his frustration about the situation to CBSLA.
"Very disappointed, very disappointed. We've been down for two years because of COVID. All of our residents are looking forward to not just this event, but many events...but this one in particular. We wanted to knock it out of the park," the mayor said.
Investigators added that Exposhows had fraudulently contracted with anywhere from 12-24 cities and communities across the state to put on Fourth of July shows. In the Southland, other cities included Palmdale, Lancaster and Lynwood.
The State Fire Marshal's Office also said that it will be holding a Friday morning news conference alongside LA County Fire and LA City Fire to provide more information on the investigation.
Exposhows Fireworks Events provided CBSLA with a statement that read in part:
"Exposhows is a small family owned business that has been providing safe entertainment to communities in California for decades...To Exposhows, this appears to be an overreaction by the State Fire Marshal Office and, so far, no charges have been filed or disclosed to Exposhows to comment upon."
La Puente's laser light show is scheduled to begin at approximately 9 p.m. on July 3 at La Puente Park.
