A late night fire ripped through a covered parking area at a Wilmington apartment complex on Friday, critically injuring a man and torching multiple vehicles as residents looked on. The blaze broke out in the 1100 block of West Pacific Coast Highway, where flames tore through a carport at an apartment building and sent thick smoke into the air. Fire crews quickly knocked the fire down, then rushed at least one person to a nearby hospital in critical condition while investigators began sorting out what sparked it.
What officials reported
According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, first arriving units pulled up to the parking structure at 1104 W Pacific Coast Hwy and found "multiple autos fully involved" in flames. The incident log shows one male patient being transported to a local hospital with critical injuries. LAFD Arson investigators were called in to handle the case, and the log notes that there were initial reports that fireworks might have been in the area around the time of the fire.
Media on scene
NBC Los Angeles dispatched a news crew to the scene Friday night and reported that the exact cause of the blaze had not yet been determined while the investigation continued. The station also cited officials who mentioned that fireworks could have been present nearby, although there was no immediate confirmation tying them directly to the fire.
Fireworks and the holiday context
The incident unfolded during the Fourth of July weekend, a time when local officials routinely warn that fireworks and celebratory sparks can turn into fast moving fires. The LAFD advisory bluntly states, "All fireworks, including so‑called 'safe and sane' fireworks, are illegal for personal possession or use in the City of Los Angeles," and urges residents to skip backyard pyrotechnics and attend permitted public shows instead.
How to report and stay safe
If you see an active fire or someone is hurt, call 911 immediately. For non emergency complaints or tips about illegal fireworks, you can submit anonymous information through LA Regional Crime Stoppers or file an online report using the city’s fireworks complaint form at complaint.lacity.org. For guidance on surrendering fireworks or other non emergency assistance, contact the LAPD at 1‑877‑ASK‑LAPD (1‑877‑275‑5273).
