Montebello man dies after illegal firework explosion sends him to the hospital
A 42-year-old man was fatally injured by an illegal firework explosion in Montebello Monday evening.
The frantic scene, partially caught on security cameras, shows a group of men running barefoot to flag down first responders after the explosion.
According to the Montebello Police Department, the man was handling illegal fireworks in the 1400 block of Germain Drive when he was seriously injured by the explosion. Crews took him to the hospital where he later died. He was identified Friday as Zorak Habeshian of Downey.
Neighbors, like Mary Montoya and David Luna said illegal fireworks dominated July 4.
"It's everywhere, Pico Rivera, Montebello. I mean, it's crazy," Luna told CBSLA.
Both police and the Montebello Fire Department were dispatched to the scene at around 6:30 p.m. Safe and sane fireworks are legal in Montebello, but according to authorities, the one that the man was handling did not fall under that category.
City officials said that the man was handling a "mortar-like firework."
"It's an explosive ball packed very densely with gunpowder and fireworks displays. It's put in a long tube," said Michael Chee, Montebello City spokesperson. "It's meant to be on the ground because of the force of ejection. We understand the individual may have been holding the device when it went off."
Several neighbors who live on the cul-de-sac where the explosion happened said they haven't had any previous problems with the people in that home.
"I'm terribly sorry this happened, but you learn a lesson...it's a horrible cost," said neighbor Sherman Lim.
Video captured by CBS's Sky9 helicopter on Monday evening shows thousands of unsanctioned fireworks explosions across the Southland.
"I can't stand it," said neighbor Vince Quan. "It's very upsetting they can't crack down on it it. It's very hard to track down. I understand that, but the ease of accessibility of obtaining them is just too easy to come by."
For local authorities, reports of fireworks plaguing the neighborhood for the last few months were difficult to enforce.
"It would've been nearly impossible to determine what was happening. This was in a private residence in a private yard," Chee continued.
Another man was severely injured in Azusa, after he was also reportedly using illegal fireworks as well. He suffered lacerations and burns to both his arms and face as a result.
