Early Friday morning, an explosion rocked the Biscailuz Center Academy Training facility in Southern California, claiming the lives of at least three deputies handling explosives.
The blast occurred just before 7:30 a.m. local time (14:30 GMT) at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department site that houses special enforcement units and the bomb squad. Preliminary reports suggest the deputies were conducting a routine exercise when something went wrong.
U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi described the event as “horrific incident,” confirming that federal agents are on the scene to gather more information. California Governor Gavin Newsom was briefed and mobilized the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services to provide full state assistance.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said the city stands with the sheriff’s department in Monterey Park, and noted support from the L.A. Fire Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the LAPD bomb squad to secure the area and assist the probe.
Authorities have not yet determined the specific cause of the explosion. An official investigation is underway, and officials are urging nearby residents to avoid the area while first responders secure the scene.
Reference(s):
At least 3 killed in explosion at police training facility in U.S.
cgtn.com
