A devastating explosion at a residential apartment building in Los Angeles has claimed the lives of two brothers, with authorities discovering materials consistent with homemade explosives and fireworks at the scene. The tragic incident occurred on Tuesday evening in the Bell Gardens neighbourhood, leaving a community in mourning and displacing numerous residents.
Details of the Tragic Incident
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department reported that the blast occurred around 6pm in the 6500 block of Purdy Avenue. Carlos Hernandez, aged 13, was found deceased inside the apartment where the explosion originated. His older brother, Christopher Benitez, 24, was rushed to hospital with severe injuries but later succumbed to what family members described as 'critical injuries' from being badly burned.
Investigation Findings
Arson investigators examining the scene discovered materials 'consistent with homemade explosives and fireworks' inside the home, according to law enforcement officials cited by local media. It is believed these items somehow ignited, causing the catastrophic explosion that rocked the neighbourhood.
Neighbour Wendy Gutierrez described the terrifying moment to reporters: 'We thought it was an earthquake because the house literally felt like it went up. Like it lifted.' The force of the blast was so powerful that it displaced more than two dozen neighbouring residents, including Gutierrez and her five children, who fled with only the clothes they were wearing.
Remembering the Victims
Christopher Benitez: A Soldier and Community Pillar
Christopher Benitez was remembered by his family as 'brave, fearless, smart, and kind - always there for everyone, helping in any way he could.' The 24-year-old served as a National Guard soldier whose passion for military service inspired him to pursue a future career in law enforcement. His family also described him as 'a dedicated member of our Catholic church community [who] loved being a mentor for the youth.'
Carlos Hernandez: A Vibrant Teenager
His younger brother, Carlos Hernandez, was honoured as 'full of life, with a great sense of humour that made everyone smile, even during hard times.' Alexis Benitez, Christopher's older sister, wrote on a fundraising page that 'Carlos was a wonderful friend and an even better family member. He loved to cook, eat, and was a passionate gamer.'
She described the tragedy as resulting from an 'accidental house fire,' noting that 'Carlos did not make it out, and Christopher later passed away from critical injuries.'
Community Impact and Response
The explosion caused significant disruption throughout the neighbourhood, with approximately 60 firefighters responding to extinguish the massive blaze that followed the initial detonation. The LA County Fire Department reported at 6.36pm local time that units had responded to a 'fully involved two-story home,' with crews operating in defensive mode while assessing the situation. The fire was successfully extinguished roughly one hour after it began.
Investigators have determined that the blast resulted from an isolated incident and confirmed there was no ongoing threat to the wider community.
Neighbourhood Trauma
Wendy Gutierrez described the chaotic aftermath, recalling how she ran outside to check on her five children only to encounter a hurt young boy - later identified as another brother of the victims - fleeing from the explosion. 'He was running from the house yelling and screaming and I saw his foot and he was bleeding,' Gutierrez recounted. 'I just held him and told him to relax. I tried to call 911, but I was so hysterical too.' The youngster received hospital treatment and was later discharged.
Gutierrez expressed the profound loss experienced by displaced families: 'In a matter of moments, everything we worked so hard for was gone.' She noted that one of her children requires 'ongoing medication' and that finding safe accommodation has become an urgent priority. 'Although we are incredibly grateful that we are all alive and safe, authorities have told us there is little to no chance of salvaging anything from our home,' she wrote on a fundraising page. 'This means we have lost nearly everything - clothing, furniture, personal belongings, school items and essential documents.'
Community Support and Fundraising
Two separate fundraising campaigns have been established to support those affected by the tragedy. A GoFundMe page created to help the Benitez and Hernandez family cover funeral expenses and other costs had raised approximately $12,300 of its $35,000 goal by Thursday morning.
Meanwhile, a separate fundraiser for Gutierrez and her displaced family had gathered roughly $1,200 toward a $2,800 target for housing, medication, and other essential necessities for her children.
School Community Mourns
Carlos Hernandez's classmates have been deeply affected by his sudden death. Brandon Naranjo, a fellow student, expressed his grief to local media: 'It don't feel real. Everybody knew him. He was such a kind, nice kid.'
The investigation into the precise cause of the explosion continues, with authorities examining how the explosive materials came to be present in the residential property and what triggered their ignition. The Daily Mail has reached out to both the LA County Fire Department and the Benitez family for further comment on this developing story.
