Woman in critical condition after exploding fireworks set multiple homes on fire in Pacoima

PACOIMA, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Over 100 firefighters battled a residential fire in Pacoima Thursday night involving active fireworks that left one woman in critical condition.

The blaze was reported just after 9 p.m. in the 12900 block of W. Corcoran Street, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

"This structure fire also was involving a significant amount of fireworks that were being stored there and these fireworks were raining all upon the neighborhood," said David Ortiz, LAFD's public information officer.

The department said three one-story homes were showing fire when LAFD personnel responded, and active fireworks inside a detached garage exposed more homes and brush in the area.

"I felt almost like the impact, you feel it. And as soon as I heard that, I turned the street to see if anyone needed help and more fireworks started going off," said one area resident. "It felt like an explosion...the fireworks started going off and sooner or later all these fires started coming."

LAFD said a 33-year-old woman was taken to the hospital in critical but stable condition, and a 68-year-old woman suffered smoke inhalation but declined transport to the hospital.

Additionally, several animals were reportedly injured.

LAFD HazMat and arson investigators, along with the LAPD Bomb Squad and the Mayor's Crisis Team, responded to the scene.

It took more than 100 firefighters to knock down the blaze in 53 minutes, according to LAFD. A fourth home and a car were also damaged in the fire.

The investigation into the incident is currently ongoing.

The Pacoima explosion came hours after a deadly fireworks explosion earlier in the day in Simi Valley.

"We are encouraging people to leave the fireworks to the professionals," said Ortiz.

He added that there needs to be a change to where people go to see a professional show instead.

"Many [fireworks] are being sold out of people's private garages and private residences by folks that really don't know how to handle fireworks," said Ortiz. "Especially when they're fireworks that have been stored for a long time and they crystalize, they can start some burn on their own

He emphasized that California is not a place for powerful, illegal fireworks; especially due to the dry vegetation.