Carlos Hernandez dies in fatal Bell Gardens fireworks explosion and fire.

Carlos Hernandez dies in fatal Bell Gardens fireworks explosion and fire.

Fatal Bell Gardens fireworks explosion death of 13-year-old Carlos Hernandez – Obituary.

A second fatality has been confirmed after a homemade fireworks explosion and subsequent fire at an apartment complex in Bell Gardens. Authorities report that Christopher Benitez, the 24-year-old brother of the teenage victim, Carlos Hernandez, passed away from his injuries at the hospital. The incident occurred on Purdy Avenue near East Gage Avenue at approximately 6:08 p.m. on Tuesday. Firefighters from the Los Angeles County Fire Department responded quickly to heavy flames engulfing the two-story apartment complex after the blast.

The fire was extinguished just before 7:10 p.m., but the damage was significant. The second floor of the building showed extensive destruction, with large sections of the front missing and parts of the roof collapsed. One boy was treated and released at the scene, while a critically injured man was taken to the hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

Family members confirmed that the deceased teenager was 13-year-old Carlos Hernandez, while the man who died at the hospital was identified as his brother, Christopher Benitez.

Investigators discovered materials that indicated the presence of homemade fireworks and explosives, leading them to believe that this was an isolated incident. There is no further threat to the surrounding community, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Firefighters worked tirelessly for nearly an hour to bring the flames under control, with the blaze visible from several blocks away.

Witnesses described seeing a massive fireball in the air following the explosion.