Misfire at illegal fireworks show on street kills 8-year-old, California cops say

An 8-year-old girl died in Southern California after being caught in an explosion at an illegal fireworks show, police reported.

A homeowner set up a large display of illegal fireworks in a Buena Park street at 9:45 p.m. Friday, July 4, police said in a news release.

The fireworks misfired and began firing toward a home, where the girl was located, police said. The misfire ignited other illegal fireworks, which were near the girl, according to police.

“At some point, the child had been struck, causing fatal injuries,” police said.

Officers already responding after spotting the illegal fireworks show found “family members frantically carrying a child into a residence,” police said.

The critically injured girl was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead, police said. No other injuries were reported.

An investigation by officers, firefighters and bomb squad members showed many of the fireworks involved in the incident were illegal, police said.

The homeowner who officers say is responsible for the display has been arrested but charges are pending, police said.

An investigation into the death continues. Police ask anyone with information to call 714-562-3902.

Buena Park is about a 20-mile drive southeast from downtown Los Angeles.

This story was originally published July 6, 2025 at 10:16 AM with the headline "Misfire at illegal fireworks show on street kills 8-year-old, California cops say."