A massive blast caused by exploding fireworks shook an Ontario neighborhood Tuesday afternoon.
Ontario, CA - March 16: Debris is scattered after a massive blast caused by exploding fireworks on 1700 block of Fern Avenue on Tuesday, March 16, 2021 in Ontario, CA. Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

After thousands of pounds of illegal fireworks were seized, 16 individuals, including police officers, were hurt when the pyrotechnics allegedly caused a large explosion in a neighborhood in Los Angeles, officials confirmed.

Based on the statement of the fire department, the blast happened at around 6 p.m.

According to NBC News, officials from the Los Angeles Fire Department stated that three LA residents suffered serious injuries while nine officers from the Los Angeles Police Department, an agent from the federal Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives agent, and three other individuals sustained minor injuries.

In the social media post of the LAPD, they stated that the bomb squad officers were seizing more than 5,000 pounds of illegal fireworks. Multiple officials familiar with the incident shared to NBC News that some of the fireworks were in the process of being detonated when the blast happened.

Moreover, the LAPD mentioned in their post online that some of the fireworks were being stored in their Bomb Squad trailer as a precautionary measure. The police department also shared that they were still investigating what caused the explosion, ABC News reported.

In addition, officials said that the blast in the LA neighborhood damaged business, structures, and cars situated nearby the scene, CBS Los Angeles reported. News helicopter footage also showed what appeared to be a bomb squad disposal unit with heavy damage in the Historic South-Central neighborhood of Los Angeles, which is in the southern portion of downtown. The windows of a laundromat in the scene were shattered by the explosion.

Recent Explosions

The LA Fire Department stated that several structures sustained damage that varied in levels. Search and rescue members were evaluating the structural integrity of the most heavily damaged building to conduct further investigation in the scene.

A massive fireworks explosion at a residence in the city of Ontario happened in March. The explosion, which happened in a city which is around 40 miles east of LA, killed two individuals. Officials stated that the explosion damaged not less than $3.2 million of properties.

The explosion on Wednesday in Los Angeles came days before the July 4th weekend.

In July 2020, the LAPD also reported there was more than 80 percent increase in calls related to illegal fireworks compared to a year prior. The department said at the time that the amount seized by the police more than doubled.

Officials recently vowed that they would crack down on illegal fireworks. Based on recent drought monitors, Los Angeles, like most of California, is under an extreme drought; and because of the recent spike in temperature, illegal fireworks could possibly cause explosions.

Last week, Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer stated that his office sent cease and desist letters to Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist and others over online sales of illegal fireworks.

Police in South Gate, a city in the Los Angeles region, mentioned last week that they were able to arrest a man with 800 pounds of illegal fireworks. The South Gate Police also said that have found 1,200 more in a rental truck.

WATCH: Large explosion occurs as LAPD attempts to seize illegal fireworks - CBS News