An 8-year-old Buena Park girl was killed on Friday night, July 4th in an explosion that police suspect involved illegal fireworks, and a homeowner was arrested, police said.

Just before 9:45 p.m., Buena Park police officers were patroling the 8000 block of Cornflower Circle after observing a large number of fireworks being detonated in the area. The officers saw family members carrying a child into a home, and they immediately stopped to assist, police said in a news release.

The girl had suffered critical injuries consistent with a fireworks-related explosion, police said. Officers performed life-saving measures before the child was taken to a hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.

Investigators believe the homeowner had attempted to ignite a firework device, which malfunctioned and misfired toward the home where the girl was. That initial misfire triggered other fireworks nearby, which ignited.

The girl was struck and fatally injured. Several other people were present but did not sustain significant injuries, according to authorities.

Investigators determined that many of the fireworks involved were illegal, police said.

The homeowner was arrested, and charges are pending review by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.

The name of the child has not been released.

This is a developing story. More will be added as information becomes available.

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