8-Year-Old Girl Killed by Illegal Fireworks on July Fourth in Buena Park

An 8-year-old girl was tragically killed in Buena Park, California, after being struck by illegal fireworks during Independence Day celebrations, according to the Buena Park Police Department.

The incident occurred Friday night in the 8000 block of Cornflower Circle, where officers on patrol witnessed several individuals frantically carrying the injured child into a residence after a series of fireworks exploded in the area. She was transported to UCI Medical Center but was later pronounced dead from injuries sustained in the explosion.

Preliminary investigations revealed that a homeowner had placed a fireworks display in the street. During the celebration, the fireworks began misfiring in the direction of a nearby residence where the girl and several others were located. Illegal fireworks stored at the property were ignited by the misfires, resulting in a fatal explosion that struck the child. No other injuries were reported, although multiple people were present at the scene.

The homeowner was arrested in connection with the incident, and charges are pending review by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office. Authorities have not released the victim’s identity, and the investigation remains ongoing.

The Buena Park Police Department is working alongside the Orange County Fire Authority and the Orange County Sheriff’s bomb squad to determine the full scope of the incident. Investigators confirmed that a significant quantity of the fireworks involved were illegal.

This tragic case is part of a string of fireworks-related incidents across California over the holiday weekend. On Thursday, a fireworks explosion in Pacoima killed one man, severely injured a woman, and burned four homes. Another explosion in Simi Valley that same day resulted in one fatality. In Hayward, in the San Francisco Bay Area, a house fire caused by fireworks left two individuals critically injured.

Despite repeated warnings from law enforcement regarding the dangers and illegality of unsanctioned fireworks, many residents in Los Angeles County continued to set off fireworks throughout the holiday weekend. In one alarming incident, fireworks were set off on the 110 Freeway during a street takeover, temporarily halting traffic.

National statistics reflect a troubling increase in fireworks-related accidents. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 11 people died from fireworks-related injuries in 2024, while an estimated 14,700 people were injured—marking a 38% rise in fatalities and more than a 50% increase in injuries compared to 2023.