Two brothers — 13-year-old Carlos Hernandez and 27-year-old Christopher Benitez — died after an explosion at an apartment complex in Bell Gardens on Jan. 27. An 11-year-old relative suffered minor injuries and was released from the hospital. LASD explosives investigators found materials consistent with homemade explosives and fireworks and have sent plastic pipe fragments and energetic powders for testing. The blast displaced several families; local fundraisers and the Red Cross are assisting those affected.
Two Brothers Killed, Child Hurt After Bell Gardens Apartment Explosion; Homemade-Explosive Materials Found
Christopher Benitez and Carlos Abraham HernandezGoFundMe (2)
Two brothers were killed and a child was injured after a powerful explosion tore through an apartment complex in Bell Gardens, California, on the evening of Tuesday, Jan. 27.
Shortly after 6 p.m., the Bell Gardens Police Department responded to multiple reports of an explosion and a resulting structure fire in the 6500 block of Purdy Avenue, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) said. The Los Angeles County Fire Department arrived on scene and found one person dead; two others — a man and an 11-year-old boy — were transported to a nearby hospital.
Wreckage on Purdy Avenue in Bell GardensMyung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty
Victims: The child found dead at the scene was identified as 13-year-old Carlos Hernandez, a seventh grader at Suva Intermediate School. His older half-brother, 27-year-old Christopher Benitez, was hospitalized and later died of his injuries just after midnight on Thursday, authorities reported. An 11-year-old relative sustained minor injuries and was treated and released.
Investigation and Scene Evidence: Detectives from the LASD Special Enforcement Bureau’s Arson and Explosives Detail examined the scene and said they "observed materials consistent with homemade explosives and fireworks." Investigators reported finding pieces of plastic pipe and energetic powders, which have been collected and submitted for laboratory testing. Officials have described the incident as isolated and said there is no ongoing threat to the community.
Carlos Abraham Hernandez memorialMyung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty
"We believe they were responsible for the explosion," LASD Lt. Michael Modica said at a news conference, characterizing the blast as a tragic accident. He explained that certain energetic powders may only fizzle when burned in the open but can produce a large explosion if they are confined when ignited.
Community Impact: The blast displaced at least four families from the complex. The American Red Cross is providing temporary shelter to those affected. Neighbors reported hearing fireworks and loud noises in the period before the blast. "We thought it was an earthquake because the house literally felt like it went up, like it lifted," neighbor Wendy Gutierrez told local media.
Fundraising and Help: Local fundraisers have been set up to help cover funeral and recovery costs. One GoFundMe for the two brothers had raised nearly $25,000 toward funeral expenses, while a separate fundraiser launched by neighbor Wendy Gutierrez — who says her family lost nearly everything — had raised almost $4,000 toward a $10,000 goal.
Scene after the explosion in Bell GardensKayla Bartkowski / Los Angeles Times via Getty
Authorities urge anyone with information about the explosion to contact the sheriff’s Arson and Explosives Detail at 323-881-7500.
Reporting compiled from LASD releases and local media coverage.
Help us improve.
