Man arrested after setting off homemade firework near Southern California shopping center

TUSTIN, California — A man was arrested Tuesday after allegedly setting off homemade fireworks near a Southern California mall, police said.

Reports of an explosion at The Village at Tustin Legacy prompted authorities to evacuate several businesses, including Chipotle, said Eric Davidson, spokesman for Regency Centers, which owns and operates The Village. There were no injuries and no damage to the shopping center.

Tustin Police Lt. Matt Nunley said a 30-year-old man was detained after a witness reported smoke and someone walked away from the scene.

The man was cited for three health and safety code violations related to the fireworks and subsequently released, the Orange County Register reported.

The fireworks were tubular and possibly resembled a pipe bomb, Nunley said. Investigators believe it was an isolated incident, he said.

The Orange County Fire Authority said it responded to a “suspicious package.” The FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office also responded, which is done routinely for reported explosions, spokesperson Laura Eimiller said.

The shopping center includes restaurants, salons and gyms. Tustin is located 30 miles (48.28 km) southeast of downtown Los Angeles.