Inert Grenade Made Into a Firework Injuries Boy

Lakeland, Florida a 9 year-old boy remains in critical condition at Tampa General Hospital as a result of an explosion that occurred in his home. The explosion reportedly occurred when the boy used a lighter on an improvised firework designed from a WWII era MK II hand grenade he was holding. The improvised firework was reportedly constructed by the boy's father. It all started when the boy's mother purchased an inert WWII era grenade from an auction house about two years ago. Allegedly the boy and his father decided that the grenade would make a great July 4th firework so they took the powder out of dozens of firecrackers and poured it into the empty grenade body and inserted a wick into it.

The father reportedly tried to light the homemade explosive device during a July 4th party but it did not ignite. The grenade was then subsequently stored in the house and months later was discovered by the boy. Moments before the accident, the boy's mother noticed that he was playing with the grenade and lighter. Just as she yelled to the boy to stop playing with the grenade, it exploded. Five others were in the house at the time of the explosion but were not injured. A subsequent investigation of the house by the police resulted in marijuana and drug paraphernalia finds. No arrests have been made at this time pending the results of the investigation.