California building explosion may have been parcel bomb attack, investigators fear
One woman killed and three injured after 'suspicious' blast
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Police and federal officials are investigating after a woman was killed and three other people injured in an explosion at a medical office in California.
The blast happened at about 1pm local time on Tuesday in Aliso Viejo, some 50 miles south of Los Angeles.
“The whole bottom floor is pretty much blown out,” fire brigade captain Tony Bommarito said.
The size of the explosion was suspicious, officials said, with one federal agent suggesting it may have been caused by a parcel bomb.
However, authorities said they had not yet found any explosive devices.
Bomb technicians and agents from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were at the scene Tuesday night.
“We have not found any type of specific device inside of the building right now that would tell us or lead us to exactly what the device was, if there was a device,” sheriff’s department commander Dave Sawyer said.
The woman who was killed inside the building was “in close proximity” to the explosion, Mr Sawyer said. The three people who were injured were nearby and were being questioned by investigators late Tuesday night, he said.
“Anytime you see an explosion of this magnitude, it would definitely be suspicious to us,” Mr Sawyer added.
Authorities were not searching for any specific suspects on Tuesday night, but the investigation was continuing, he said.
Mary McWilliams told The Orange County Register she arrived for an appointment to find smoke surrounding the area and car alarms going off.
McWilliams said she saw two burned women staggering out of the building, covered in ash and soot.
One woman, who had skin peeling on her arm from burns, said, “Take care of my mother,” Ms McWilliams said. The other woman was bleeding from her head.
Fire officials said a third person suffered smoke inhalation.
A daycare centre and pre-school on the other side of the road was evacuated. Some children held hands as they were led out by firefighters while sheriff’s deputies rolled out babies in cribs.
No children were hurt.
Additional reporting by AP
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments