An explosion at the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department training center in East Los Angeles early Friday morning has resulted in the deaths of three deputies of the LA County Sheriff's Department.

The blast occurred at approximately 7:30 a.m. at 1060 N. Eastern Ave, as confirmed by the Los Angeles County Fire Department. LASD’s Biscailuz Center Training Academy is located at that address.Biscauluz Training Center.

According to an L.A. County Sheriff's Department statement:

"Tragically, there were three department member fatalities. Sheriff's homicide detectives are on scene. The FBI LA, ATF are assisting LASD. This is still an active scene and further details will be forthcoming."

The Biscailuz training center houses the sheriff's department's special enforcement units and arson/explosives detail. It appears something may have exploded near a law enforcement vehicle, according to AIR7 footage.

The LA Times is reporting:

"..a bomb squad was moving an explosive ordinace at the facility when the blast occured. LAPD's bomb squad responded to the scene to help render any other potential explosives safe and the immediate area has been evacuated."

According to Laura Eimiller, spokesperson for the Los Angeles FBI office, FBI agents are responding to the scene along with its bomb technicians.

The explosion is the latest in a series of tragic incidents involving the department's facilities. A previous incident involved Deputy Alfredo "Freddy" Flores, who died from injuries sustained in an explosion at a mobile shooting range in Castaic. According to ABC7, Flores was injured during a training drill in October 2023 and succumbed to his injuries after months of hospitalization.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has faced scrutiny over the safety of its training facilities. A lawsuit filed by Flores' family alleges that the department failed to maintain safe conditions, leading to hazardous environments for deputies. The lawsuit claims that the buildup of unburned gunpowder residue and other combustible materials caused the deadly explosion that injured Flores. The family seeks accountability to prevent similar tragedies in the future, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.

The Sheriff's Department has temporarily closed all mobile shooting ranges while investigations continue. The department expressed deep sadness over the incident, emphasizing its commitment to ensuring the safety of its personnel. The cause of Friday's explosion is under investigation, and further details are expected as authorities continue their inquiries.

Bill Handel