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One person is confirmed dead and four were injured after an explosion caused by what was believed to be a bomb rocked the American Reproductive Centers building on North Indian Canyon Drive near East Tachevah Drive just before 11 a.m. this morning in what federal authorities are investigating as “an intentional act of terrorism.”

Akil Davis, assistant director of the Los Angeles Federal Bureau of Investigation, told reporters the blast created a debris field spanning over 250 yards in all directions from the 1100 block of Indian Canyon Road.

“Make no mistake, this is an intentional act of terrorism,” Davis said during a press conference. “The FBI is investigating it as such.”

Davis said investigators have a person of interest but, “We are not actively searching for a suspect.” He would not say whether heavy law enforcement activity reported in Twentynine Palms was related. There is also no word yet on the identity of the deceased or any motives of the blast, nor whether the person killed in the blast is believed to have committed the violent act.

Davis said they are investigating reports of a tripod and camera found near the scene, and concerns that the incident was being live-streamed.

Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills walks toward the media Saturday afternoon with investigators from the FBI and other city and law enforcement officials.

Davis characterized the explosion as “probably one of the largest bombing investigations that we’ve had in Southern California,” comparing it to the 2018 Aliso Viejo bombing in Orange County.

Palm Springs Police Chief Andrew Mills said first responders worked quickly to make the area safe, “We were very concerned about secondary devices, so we spent a lot of time and effort working with the Bureau, as well as the sheriff’s office, clearing the entire neighborhood, making sure that there was nothing that could harm our citizens any further.”

“I am confident that the community is not at risk any longer,” Mills said. “Terrorism came knocking on the door of Palm Springs. We survived, and I can tell you that this city will rise.”

The FBI Evidence Response Team and bomb technicians are processing evidence to determine the origin of the blast, which officials said would take significant time due to the size of the crime scene.

Because the debris field is so large, Mills urged residents who find debris from the explosion in or around their homes to leave it untouched and call the non-emergency number for proper collection.

Multiple agencies responded to the scene in addition to the PSPD, Palm Springs Fire Department, and FBI, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, Desert Hot Springs Police Department, Cathedral City Police Department, as well as the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.

Fire Chief Paul Alvarado said the first fire engine arrived in under one minute to find a building “impacted by structural collapse.” Firefighters extinguished most of the fire before retreating due to structural concerns.

Helicopter footage of the site of the blast showed charred remains of what appears to be a vehicle in a parking lot behind the building. The back of the building facing the parking lot appears to have greater damage than the front.

Matt Spencer, a resident who lives nearby at Sunset Palms apartment complex, ran outside with his dog Taffy as soon as he heard the explosion and reports he saw human remains and what was left of a car outside the building.

Spencer said he saw what looked like human remains in the middle of the road.

“I could see the back of the car still on fire and the rims, that was the only thing that distinguishes it as a car,” Spencer said. He also saw parts of the frame of a car and its suspension, and that it looked “completely disintegrated.”

Police are urging the community to stay away from the area as it remains an active emergency scene.

The American Reproductive Centers provides In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and other reproductive treatments. It is the only full service facility of its kind in the Coachella Valley, with a facility in Loma Linda being the next closest.

Mayor Pro Tem Naomi Soto described the fertility clinic as “a place of hope” where people go to start or expand their families.

Smoke pours from the American Reproductive Centers building as firefighters report to the scene.

According to its operating hours on its website, the office was not open at the time of the explosion.

In a Facebook post, representatives from the American Reproductive Centers including Dr. Maher Abdallah reported that no members of the team were harmed in the explosion.

“[O]ur lab—including all eggs, embryos, and reproductive materials—remains fully secure and undamaged. We are heavily conducting a complete safety inspection and have confirmed that our operations and sensitive medical areas were not impacted by the blast.”

The post said they will be in operation come Monday morning.

“This moment has shaken us—but it has not stopped us. We will continue to serve with strength, love, and the hope that brings new life into the world,” the post concludes.

The explosion blew out the windows at several nearby buildings, including a Desert Regional Medical Center medical office building and a liquor store. The explosion was heard as far away as Desert Hot Springs.

Desert Regional Medical Center issued a statement saying in part, “Hospital staff is cooperating with police as they investigate the cause. Our emergency department remains open and our hospital is fully operational. We are temporarily asking visitors to refrain from coming to the hospital as police have limited access to the road in front of our campus.”

California Governor Gavin Newsom has been briefed on the explosion according to his social media channels and confirmed “The state is coordinating through [the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services] with local and federal authorities to support the response.”

The Palm Springs Police Department tells residents if they find debris, don’t touch it and call the department’s non-emergency line at 760-327-1441.

The FBI is asking anyone to come forward with any information and call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).