A chain reaction accident happened Monday in Los Angeles.

According to The Associated Press, a van crossed an intersection while the red light was still on, causing a second van that was traveling west to hit it. At the impact, the first van immediately plunged into the air.

5 people were killed in the crash. Two of them were children of 7 and 12 years. One died on the spot and the other one died at the hospital. There were about 20 other victims and some of them were transported to the hospital with serious injuries.

The 12-year-old-boy was thrown out of the car and two other victims were burned and could not be recognized, said police spokeswoman Karen Smith.

The police said that the first car hit the van that crossed on the red light at about 6 p.m. Then, other 3 cars crashed into these two, starting a chain reaction. The cars were burning and a traffic signal had already melted when the police arrived.

According to The Associated Press, more than 100 firefighters came to the scene of the accident. Paramedics transported about 14 people to the hospital. Six of them were in very serious condition.

Authorities closed the traffic in the area for more than 9 hours while the investigation continued.