Two teens were rushed to the hospital on Friday after a firework accident in a local skate park.
The explosion was reported after 8 p.m at Bonita Park in Arcadia, said police Sgt. Dan Crowther.
A 14-year-old boy received severe injuries to one of his hands and a 17-year-old boy received minor injuries to an arm and his chest when the firework went off in their hands, Crowther said.
Their friends said what they heard and saw was horrific.
"His whole hand was just blown off and I was screaming, 'Call 911!'" said a friend of the boys, Daniel.
He said their night at the park started off fine until he saw one teen holding a tennis-ball sized firework, the other about to light it.
"I just told him not to light it," he said. "They went on ahead and just did it.
"His whole hand was just blown off and just gone."
Witnesses said the explosion was so loud their ears were ringing. At first, they couldn't hear the cries for help.
"Just don't do it," Daniel said. "Make sure you're in a safe place, that professionals are doing it."
