Overview
- The explosion occurred around 8:30 p.m. on July 4 on the 5600 block of D Street in Chino and ignited at least one vehicle into a large blaze.
- A woman in her 20s died from her injuries and two other adults were seriously hurt but are expected to survive, while a juvenile who was treated has been released.
- Police detained 28-year-old Derion Tradon James Jr. of Hesperia at the scene and later booked him on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter.
- The Chino Police Department is leading the active investigation with the Chino Valley Fire District and other fire-bomb experts, and officers closed nearby roads while searching the area and asking the public for tips.
- City rules allow only nonexplosive “safe and sane” fireworks, and authorities say the incident—one of several fireworks fires in Southern California over the holiday—highlights risks from large or prohibited fireworks and could spur tougher enforcement.