On September 29, 2012, Century Station deputies responded to the 3300 block of Louise Street in the city of Lynwood regarding a smoke investigation call. Upon their arrival, a fire in the apartment had already been extinguished and Los Angeles County Fire Engine 147 arrived shortly thereafter to assist in blowing out the residual smoke.
The Fire Captain determined the fire was caused by illegal fireworks being lit inside the apartment. Upon further investigation by deputies, it was determined a mother and her five year old son were watching a movie in her bedroom. The child asked to go to the kitchen to get something to eat. A short time later, the mother heard an explosion in her apartment and the child ran back into the room crying. The mother grabbed her child and took him outside. She returned and extinguished a fire on her living room couch.
It was learned the mother’s five year old son gained access to a stash of illegal fireworks that were being kept in the cabinet underneath the kitchen sink and a lighter that was on the kitchen counter. Both items were within the reach of the child. This was not the first time the child had ignited illegal fireworks. A day prior, the apartment manager had warned the mother about the child lighting fireworks near the apartment. According to statements depicted in the report, the mother did not believe her child was lighting the fireworks because of past accusations.
The mother stated the fireworks were leftover from this past year’s Independence Day festivities and that she stored them under the sink with the intent of using them the following year. Several expended fireworks were located and dark soot was observed on the walls. The fireworks belonged to the mother and she was subsequently arrested for child endangerment.
