Global Courant
A man was killed and four other people injured after officials said a fireworks accident sparked a major fire during preparations for an Independence Day event in East Texas.
It was one of at least two deaths and many injuries in the US during a holiday that typically sees more than 10,000 emergency room visits due to fireworks-related injuries.
Upshur County firefighters, deputies and medical personnel responded to a blaze at the Firehouse 9 Farm Event Venue in Gilmer, Texas, around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, following an explosion that occurred while setting up a fireworks event scheduled for later in the day. according to a statement from the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office.
Jared Scott Maddox, 58, owner of the location, was found dead at the scene and four others were injured, the sheriff’s office said.
The Texas State Fire Marshal’s Office and officials from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are investigating the case.
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A fire caused by fireworks on July 4 killed one person and injured four others in eastern Texas.
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In a statement issued by the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday, ATF Officer Kevin Mack said the explosion happened as people finished setting up 300 3-inch firecracker grenades and that it appears to have been triggered by the electric match powering a grenade.
Thousands of Americans are seriously injured by fireworks every year, despite repeated warnings surrounding the use of this popular Fourth of July tradition.
In western Michigan, a woman died and nine others were injured with injuries ranging from minor to critical after two fireworks-related explosions Monday within about 30 minutes of each other. The explosions were no more than 30 miles apart.
First, in Allegan County, an errant mortar fired sideways into a crowd of onlookers. Then a fireworks explosion killed a 43-year-old woman from Holland in nearby Park Township.
In Illinois, a man was seriously injured after a powerful firecracker exploded in his face Monday when he was investigating why the firecrackers hadn’t exploded initially.
