Just after 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday, a fierce fire ripped through a detached backhouse behind a Long Beach home, jolting neighbors awake and drawing a full emergency response to a yard on 67th Way near Long Beach Boulevard. Bystander video shows bright sparks and what sound like repeated bursts tearing through the darkness as flames engulfed the rear structure. No injuries were reported, and investigators have launched a formal probe into what set it all off.
At first, some neighbors thought they were hearing a late-night fireworks show. Then they saw the glow. As reported by ABC7 Los Angeles, a resident identified as Irma recalled, "We thought it was fireworks... we looked out the window and we saw that it was on fire." Station footage captures sparks flying through the blaze as firefighters work quickly in the tight yard to keep the flames from jumping to nearby homes.
Another angle from CBS Los Angeles shows crews combing through the charred shell of the backhouse and describes the callout as a "possible explosion," though officials have not publicly confirmed that an explosive source was involved. The clip shows firefighters documenting damage and taking photos in what appears to be standard origin-and-cause work. By midday Tuesday, city and fire officials had yet to release a detailed public statement on the incident.
What investigators will look for
When a fire is accompanied by sounds of secondary bursts, investigators typically zero in on potential fuel sources. That can include appliances, propane cylinders, and compromised gas lines, along with any patterns in the debris that help pinpoint where the fire started. In a separate Long Beach blaze in May 2025, ABC7 Los Angeles reported that flames intensified after a propane tank inside a boarded-up structure exploded and that an arson suspect was later arrested. That earlier case underscored how portable tanks and stored fuels can quickly turn a routine backyard fire into something far more destructive.
Neighbors shaken, but unhurt
Residents on the block said the overnight blasts and flames rattled them but left them relieved that no one was hurt this time. Fire crews stayed on scene for hours into the early morning, dousing hot spots and walking the property with investigators as they documented the damage. Officials have said they will release more information once the investigation is further along, and local TV outlets, which have already posted dramatic video from the scene, say they plan to update their coverage as authorities share new details.
