Several homes evacuated after illegal fireworks flagged by USPS in San Gabriel, police say

SAN GABRIEL, Calif. (KABC) -- Several homes were evacuated after the discovery of illegal homemade fireworks in San Gabriel.

There was a large police and fire presence near a home where a suspicious package was reported by a postal carrier. It comes just two days before the Fourth of July holiday.

AIR7 flew over the scene in the 1800 block of San Gabriel Boulevard and spotted the large, multi-agency law enforcement presence.

According to a press release from the San Gabriel Police Department, officers were notified by the United States Postal Service about a suspicious package in the 1800 block of San Gabriel Boulevard around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday.

When officers arrived at the scene, postal inspectors spoke with someone at the location who admitted to possessing illegal fireworks, according to the police department. A man was arrested.

The Los Angeles County Bomb Squad was deployed and worked to safely remove the homemade illegal fireworks found on the property.

As a precaution, homes and businesses within a 500-foot perimeter of the residence were evacuated. Residents have since been allowed to return to their homes.

Busy San Gabriel Boulevard between Valley Boulevard and Marshall Street was shut down for hours.

Police and firefighters aren't taking illegal fireworks lightly, with all the dangers they pose to the public.

In Northern California, seven people remain unaccounted for after a massive explosion on Tuesday at a fireworks factory outside Sacramento.

One of the missing is 18-year-old Jesus Ramos. Tuesday was his first day on the job. His brothers are also among the missing.

'We had a baby on the way," his girlfriend said through tears. "They were all three incredible men who had so much coming for them. I just pray that some way, somehow, they're OK."

The explosion brings up painful memories of several incidents in Southern California.

Back in 2021, the LAPD Bomb Squad overloaded a containment tank in an effort to dispose of confiscated illegal fireworks. It ended up costing the city $21 million in payouts to residents whose homes were damaged.

That same year, illegal fireworks exploded in the backyard of an Ontario home, killing two people, damaging homes, and leaving many people injured.

San Gabriel isn't taking any chances, and fireworks are banned in the city. They aren't even hosting a fireworks show, and instead, a massive drone show is scheduled for Thursday.