2 brothers killed, 1 person injured in explosion at Bell Gardens apartment complex

Two brothers died, and another person was injured after an explosion at a Bell Gardens apartment complex on Tuesday.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department dispatched crews to the 6500 block of Purdy Avenue at roughly 6:07 p.m. for the explosion and ensuing fire. Firefighters knocked down the fire after nearly an hour.

The second floor of the complex appeared to have significant damage, with a large section of the front missing and parts of the roof collapsed, according to video from the scene.

Firefighters located a teenage boy dead inside the complex after the explosion. 

Paramedics also took a young boy and the adult to the hospital. The boy was in stable condition, while the adult was in critical condition, according to LA County Fire. The young boy was released the next day.

The adult was hospitalized with severe burns to 90% of his body. On Thursday, the Bell Gardens Police Department said he died.

LASD said investigators "observed materials consistent with homemade explosives and fireworks" while examining the damage.

"It was an explosive made with some kind of powder device, not a gasoline or an oxygen-based thing, something basically like propel fireworks," Lt. Michael Modica said. "If you do an illegal act, such as possessing explosive devices, be it misdemeanor or felony, then those charges can be much more severe."

Bell Gardens Police Chief Paul Camacho said about four to five families were displaced after building inspectors red-tagged the building. Camacho said the American Red Cross was responding to the scene to help the displaced families. 

Investigators closed the road leading to the complex during the investigation.

This is a developing story. Check back for more details.