At least 17 injured in the explosion of a Los Angeles police explosives disposal truck

(CNN) – At least 17 people were injured in Los Angeles Wednesday night after an explosion inside a police bomb disposal truck, authorities said.

“This container should have been able to get rid of this material,” Los Angeles Police Department Chief Michel Moore told a news conference. “Something happened in that containment vehicle that shouldn’t have happened and we don’t know why.”

Earlier Wednesday, the Los Angeles Police Department received a call about illegal fireworks, Moore said. When officers arrived at the residence, they found stacked commercial-grade fireworks. They also found improvised explosives, he said.

The explosion occurred when officers intentionally detonated improvised devices in the truck, Moore said.

One person was arrested and charged with possession of a destructive device, the chief said. The illegal fireworks came from out of state and were intended for sale for the July 4 holiday, he added.

Of the 17 people injured, 10 were officers and seven were civilians, Moore said.

The police chief did not describe the condition of the injured.

In an earlier statement, the Los Angeles Fire Department said 16 people were injured, including nine police officers, described as “all in good condition with minor injuries,” and one officer from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms. and Explosives (ATF), which suffered minor injuries.

Of the six civilians named in the statement, Los Angeles police said three suffered serious injuries and the other three suffered minor injuries.

Various structures suffered different levels of damage from the blast, the fire department said. Several cars were also damaged by the debris.

Mayor Eric Garcetti said a full investigation will be conducted into the incident.

“Illegal fireworks represent a great danger and can cost lives. We will prosecute those who use or possess them to the full extent of the law, “he said in a statement.