Santa Ana: Building Damaged By Lunar New Year Fireworks

02.09.2024 | 10:30 PM | SANTA ANA – An apartment building was damaged by fireworks being launched as part of a Lunar New Year celebration, Friday night.

Hundreds attended the annual Lunar New Year celebration hosted by the Hue Quang Buddhist Temple in the 4900 block of Westminster Avenue. The celebration, which includes the closure of Westminster Avenue, featured scores of individuals armed with aerial fireworks and firecrackers, all of which are illegal in California.

Individuals discharging the fireworks discarded packaging contents into a pile in the street which was ignited into a large bonfire-style burn pit as grounds gathered around.

Police stationed in the area observed the fire and responded with fire extinguishers to extinguish the blaze and quell the use of illegal fireworks.

While attempting to extinguish the fire individuals continued to discharge fireworks, including one which was placed on the corner of a nearby apartment building. The explosion from that firework blew out the windows of at least one apartment, which appeared vacant, and left a tennis ball sized crater.

Eventually firefighters responded to extinguish the bonfire though the celebrations and use of illegal fireworks continued.

It was unclear if any injuries were associated with event.

Miles Madison

Miles started reporting breaking news in 2015 and has been providing high-quality news video and timely reports from the Orange County area ever since. Combining his experience as a seasoned photojournalist, radio operator and sleuth, Miles provides unrivaled multimedia news reports.