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

Just before 9:45 p.m., Buena Park police officers were patrolling the 8000 block of Cornflower Circle after observing a large number of fireworks being detonated in the area. The officers saw family members “frantically” 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 UCI Medical Center, where she was later pronounced dead.

The homeowner was hosting a Fourth of July party at the residence, and the victim was the daughter of a family friend, Lt. Jon-Michael Shaddow said.

She was identified as Jasmine Nguyen, of Anaheim, Orange County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Sgt. Gerard McCann said.

“Through initial investigation, a large illegal fireworks display, which was placed in the street by the homeowner, failed and began misfiring toward the residence where the child was,” the release said. “This caused other illegal fireworks to ignite, which were near the child and others.”

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

The homeowner was arrested, and charges are pending review by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office. Police are working with Orange County Fire Authority investigators and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Bomb Squad.

On Saturday afternoon, neighbors of the single-family home where the explosion occurred declined to discuss what happened. Faint black smudges still marked the concrete on the driveway. The roller coasters at Knott’s Berry Farm could be seen in the distance.

California authorities announced that over 600,000 pounds of illegal fireworks and explosives were seized leading up to July 4th – more than double the amount confiscated in all of 2024.

Last year, there were 11 deaths related to fireworks in the U.S., most involving misuse and device misfire/malfunctions, according to the Consumer Products Safety Commission. An estimated 14,700 people were injured by fireworks in 2024 – up 38% in deaths and about 52% in injuries, respectively, from 2023.

In Pacoima on Thursday, a fireworks explosion led to a fire that killed one man and injured a woman, displaced 18 people and damaged several homes.

Buena Park allowed so-called safe and sane fireworks on July 4th. The city also had encouraged residents to report if they saw illegal fireworks possessed, sold or set off.

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