Firefighters are responding to a powerful explosion at a building in Palm Springs that injured five people on Saturday morning—and investigators are not ruling out terrorism.
The blast occurred shortly before 11 a.m. at the American Reproductive Centers on North Indian Canyon Drive, near East Tachevah Drive, and was felt up to two miles away.
‘Everything is in question—whether this is an act of terrorism,’ Lt. William Hutchinson told The Desert Sun from the scene.
Multiple witnesses reported hearing a loud boom, and dramatic videos shared on social media show the explosion shattered windows of a nearby liquor store.
Authorities have not confirmed whether the explosion was accidental or intentional, but Hutchinson said there appears to be at least one fatality.
The suspect is believed to be dead, according to authorities.
Firefighters are responding to a powerful explosion at a reproductive clinic in Palm Springs that rocked the area late Saturday morning
The blast occurred shortly before 11 a.m. at the American Reproductive Centers on North Indian Canyon Drive, near East Tachevah Drive
Authorities have not confirmed whether the explosion was accidental or a deliberate act
Governor Gavin Newsom has been briefed on the explosion, according to a statement from his office.
‘The state, through [California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services], is coordinating with local and federal authorities to support the response,’ the statement said.
Dr. Maher Abdallah, who operates the American Reproductive Centers fertility clinic, confirmed to The Associated Press that his facility was among the properties damaged in the blast. He said all staff members were safe and accounted for.
The explosion impacted the office area used for patient consultations but did not harm the IVF laboratory or any of the stored embryos.
‘I really have no clue what happened,’ Abdallah said. ‘Thank God today happened to be a day that we have no patients.’
Graphic images from the scene seem to show charred human remains.
NBC Palm Springs has described the incident as a ‘car explosion,’ though officials have yet to confirm the cause or release additional details.
Palm Springs Police and Fire are urging residents to avoid the area so emergency crews can manage the scene. Emergency vehicles were still arriving as of noon.
The explosion occurred near—but not on—the grounds of Palm Springs’ main hospital, Desert Regional Medical Center, according to a hospital spokesperson
Multiple witnesses reported hearing a loud boom, and dramatic videos shared on social media show the explosion shattered the windows of a nearby liquor store
The explosion occurred near—but not on—the grounds of Palm Springs’ main hospital, Desert Regional Medical Center, according to a hospital spokesperson.
American Reproductive Centers offers fertility treatments but does not perform abortions.
According to its website, the building houses the Coachella Valley’s first and only full-service fertility clinic and in vitro fertilization lab.
Opened in 2006, the center offers a comprehensive range of fertility services, including IVF, egg donation, genetic testing, egg freezing, fertility evaluations for both men and women, intrauterine insemination, LGBTQ family planning, and surrogacy support.
U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli for the Central District of California said on X that his office is aware of the explosion that rocked Palm Springs on Saturday and confirmed that the FBI is on the scene.
The agency ‘will be investigating whether this was an intentional act,’ Essayli said, adding that more information will be released once details are confirmed.
Graphic images from the scene appear to show at least one set of charred human remains
Palm Springs resident Tamara Cash was out jogging just a few blocks away when the explosion rocked the American Reproductive Centers on Indian Canyon Drive.
‘It was so loud it shook me,’ she told the Desert Sun.
Cash ran past the smoldering building moments later and saw that every window in sight had been blown out—including some at nearby Desert Regional Medical Center.
The hospital is still fully operational, as confirmed by spokesperson Rich Ramhoff.
‘All I could hear was alarms going off in different buildings,’ she added.
Matt Spencer told the Desert Sun he was at home in his apartment just 200 yards away when the explosion rocked Palm Springs Saturday morning.
Within minutes, he walked over to the American Reproductive Center and was stunned by the destruction.
The blast had hurled the front of the building across the street into the Desert Regional parking lot, he said, and a vehicle’s rear axle was still burning behind the facility.
What he saw next was even more disturbing—what looked like body parts and debris scattered across both Indian Canyon and Palm Canyon drives.
Firefighters putting out the smoke from the explosion
Pictured: Windows are shattered above a parking garage area near Indian Canyon Drive and Tachevah in Palm Springs
Pictured: The American Reproductive Centers before it was damaged by the explosion
Claudio Chavez was inside the upholstery shop where he works when the blast hit, shattering the windows of the store.
‘I was just in my shop waiting for clients, and all of a sudden it felt like a big explosion,’ he told the NY Times. ‘It took out our window. I just saw a bunch of smoke.’
As thick plumes rose into the air, Chavez said people poured out of nearby homes and businesses to see what had happened.
A logistics manager at the shop, he immediately began clearing debris and sweeping up shattered glass.
