Fireworks Malfunctions In Illinois, Ohio, And Texas Injured Spectators

Fireworks, flags, and parades are traditional patriotic symbols displayed in big cities and small towns across America, but for several states, incidents of fireworks malfunction put a damper on Fourth of July festivities.

The Kirkland Lions Club Fourth of July Celebration in Kirkland, Illinois, was temporarily halted when an unexpected explosion occurred.

An employee of Mad Bomber Fireworks Productions, the company commissioned to conduct the holiday fireworks display, was injured when the fireworks malfunctioned, sending the man to the hospital.

A shell in one of the loading cylinders prematurely exploded, blowing apart several cylinders and sending shrapnel flying.

“The mounting brackets that hold up these cylinders blew apart and its probably what injured the worker,” said Chad Connell, Kirkland Fire Chief in an interview with the DeKalb Daily Chronicle. “He has a possible femur fracture and some minor burns.”

Another mid-western state experienced its own issues with fireworks malfunctioning, injuring 11. Last week, in anticipation of the upcoming Independence Day, Westlake, Illinois, presented a fireworks show during Crocker Park’s 11th Annual American Liberty Fest.

Many onlookers gathered to watch the show, but just a few minutes in, something went terribly wrong.

“It was a ball of flame coming from the sky,” said Jill Chetter in an interview with Newsnet 5 Cleveland. “I saw it and I watched it as it went. It was quick, but my eyes were able to follow it, that ball of fire just went into a mass amount of people.”

Fireworks flared into the crowd, causing confusion and minor injuries to attendees of the event.

“Once they started going off near us, people started running down the street,” said Jason Hendrix.

“We heard all this screaming, like something out of a movie, panic. It was scary,” said Casey Hendrix.

Eleven onlookers were injured during the Westlake event, and what caused the fireworks malfunction is still unknown. The incident is currently under investigation by both the Westlake Fire Department and Ohio State Fire Marshal’s office.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzQygfyyJLk

Visitors to Southwest University Park in El Paso, Texas, were expecting to see an El Paso Chihuahua’s minor league baseball game, along with a post-game fireworks show on Thursday, gearing up for the weekend’s patriotic celebrations. Fans got more than they expected, as fireworks malfunctioned, sending one fan home with injuries.

“Our heart was pounding because we were really scared,” said Deziree Dominguez in an interview with KVIA.

Spectators watched as fireworks burst into the night sky, but soon the sky was empty and the fireworks were shooting at them. A launching apparatus reportedly toppled over, hurling flaming fireworks into the crowd, prompting attendees to take cover. One man received minor injuries and was treated by ballpark personnel.

“It was crazy,” said Hillary Floren. “(Very large) fireworks were shooting right behind the stands.”

What caused the fireworks malfunction has not been released, but has been corrected, as fireworks resumed at Southwest University Park on Friday.

[Image courtesy of Kena Betancur/Getty Images]