The remains of an armoured police department tractor-trailer are seen after fireworks exploded in Los Angeles on Wednesday. AP

Gulf Today Report

In a botched operation, a massive quantity of confiscated fireworks exploded in Los Angeles. At least 17 people were injured; nine of them were police officials.  The police were trying to dispose off the fireworks safely but it exploded, damaging vehicles and buildings on Wednesday.

The Los Angeles Fire Department said in a statement that at least nine Los Angeles police personnel and one from the Department of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Control were injured. They said that injuries were minor.

The authorities stated that they were taken to a hospital, along with six civilians. Three are in serious condition, while another three have moderate injuries.

A quantity of illegal fireworks weighing more than 2,270 kilogrammes was confiscated in a combing operation ahead of the Independence Day celebrations on the fourth of July.  

Police said the accident occurred while a bomb squad was confiscating fireworks in a southern suburb of the city.

US media reported that the explosion occurred when the police tried to safely detonate part of the confiscated fireworks. Local sources said that the explosion damaged a number of buildings and scattered debris in the streets.

The city's building safety and security inspectors are assessing damage to homes to determine if anyone needs to be evacuated, the fire department said.