Unexploded Fireworks Washed Ashore on Martha's Vineyard Beach

Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts A pyrotechnics company has been suspended after unexploded fireworks shells washed up on a Martha's Vineyard beach.

The Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad responded to Chappaquiddick Island where 25 commercial-grade fireworks were found the day after July 4th celebrations. The state fire marshal reported that Central Maine Pyrotechnics improperly disposed of the shells following a fireworks show, leading to the company's suspension.

The Massachusetts Department of Fire Services said more fireworks could wash up on Martha's Vineyard. Anyone who sees one is asked to stay away and notify authorities immediately.

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Death May be Result of Illegal Fireworks

Kailua-Kona, Hawaii Authorities are investigating the death of a 20-year-old man who died following a fireworks incident on July 4 in Kailua-Kona. According to police, Kona patrol officers and the Hawaii Fire Department responded to a report of an incident, possibly related to illegal fireworks, in a retail parking lot on the island.

They found a man, identified as Glen John Nakata, 20, of Kailua-Kona, on the ground with a substantial head injury. Bystanders reported seeing Nakata holding a fireworks launcher above his head when the fireworks went off, throwing him to the ground.

Nakata was transported to Kona Community Hospital, where he succumbed to the injuries. Police have initiated a coroner's inquest investigation and ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death. Witnesses are asked to contact Officer Melani Cline at 808-326-4646, ext. 253.

Police Seize 5,000 Pounds of Illegal Fireworks

San Bernardino, California In response to a complaint, the San Bernardino Police Department evacuated approximately 48 homes before seizing about 5,000 pounds of illegal fireworks, firearms, and manufacturing materials from a residence. According to a social media post from the department, upon entering the home, officers found the fireworks in "plain sight."

The officers also confiscated firearms, manufacturing tools and kegs of black powder, an indication that the residence may have been a manufacturing facility for illegal fireworks, according to the post.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department bomb squad also responded due to the large quantity of explosives. According to Lt. Jennifer Kohrell, spokesperson for the San Bernardino Police Department, one person was arrested but a name was not released.

Five bomb trailers were needed to transport the explosive material to a different location. Kohrell reported that it is unclear how many homemade fireworks may have been sold from the residence and whether they pose a hazard to the buyers. He urged anyone with information to call the police department at (909) 394-5742 or report it anonymously on the San Bernardino County Fire Department website.

Fireworks Market Destroyed From Sympathetic Detonations

Tultepec, Mexico A series of explosions rocked the San Pablito fireworks market killing 35 and injuring as many as 50 others with reports of a dozen people still missing. Explosions lasted for nearly 20 minutes caused by a series of sympathetic detonations which jumped from one fireworks vendor to another destroying the market in the process.

Mexico - Fireworks

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UXO Sparks Fireworks in Storage Shed Fire

Long Beach, California A north Long Beach neighborhood was evacuated when authorities found UXO at a storage shed fire. The Long Beach Fire Department responded to the vacant home where two sheds and a garage were on fire with reports of "fireworks" shooting off from the flames.

Once the fire was contained, officials found a cache of live ammunition including WWII ordnance at the scene. The munitions were safety inspected and removed from the area for proper disposal. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Fireworks Spark Tragedy in 200 Car Pile-up

Galesburg, Michigan As we often remind our readers, fireworks can be hazardous even when being transported. This proved true over the weekend when some 200 vehicles were involved in a fatal pileup along a snow-covered I-94 between Kalamzoo and Galesburg, Michigan.

One of the trucks involved in the accident was transporting fireworks. Fires sparked by the collisions caused the truck to burst in a series of aerial explosions. In the end, the accident resulted in one fatality with over two dozen people injured, including two firefighters who responded to the scene.

Man Dies During Fireworks Accident

Detroit, Michigan A 44 year old construction worker spent his last evening alive at a friend's house having a 4th of July cookout. Just before 10:30 pm, party goers started shooting off fireworks in the driveway. The 44-year old man decided to join in and reportedly lit a firework and threw it toward himself vs the air. The firework exploded near the man's chest knocking him to the ground.

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Fireworks Company Under Investigation For Duds

Ware, Massachusetts The Massachusetts State Fire Marshal's Office has temporarily suspended Pyrotecnico from deploying additional fireworks after officials received reports of more than a dozen unexploded firework shells left in parks across the state from July 4th fireworks shows. Officials reported that eight unexploded shells were found in Ware and more than one shell each in Stoughton, Waltham, Worcester, and Wilmington after the fireworks show performed by Pyrotecnico.

The finds included reports of unexploded fireworks being set-off by grounds maintenance crews who inadvertently ran over the unexpended fireworks with lawn tractors. A local bomb squad responded to fireworks found on a baseball field at another site.

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Fireworks Fatality

Lansing, Kansas The fireworks show at the Kenneth Bernard Community Park hosted close to 3,500 spectators on the 4th of July. After the show, volunteers helped cleanup the park including searching for unexpended fireworks for disposal by the fireworks crew.

During the cleanup and disposal operations, one of the volunteers, a 44-year old man, was fatally wounded when a firework exploded near him. The incident allegedly occurred during one of the disposal operations. Details of the accident are under investigation and the park remains closed while police search the area for additional evidence.

Unexploded Fireworks Shell Found Floating in Water

Panama City, Florida A civilian boating in the waters just outside of Tyndall Air Force Base found an unexploded commercial fireworks shell floating in the water. The boater called the police to report the find. The Bay County Sheriff's office responded to the call along with an agent from the ATF and a Navy EOD team out of Panama City.

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