The Missouri Fire Marshal’s Office says the state has had an “alarming” number of suspected fireworks-related deaths and injuries over the July 4th time.
A shed explosion in Joplin on July 3 killed a 47-year-old man and injured a girl. On July 4, a house fire in Buckner, near Kansas City, is believed to have been ignited by fireworks. The fire killed two people, including a 13-year-old girl.
Fireworks injuries have also been reported in Hannibal, Sibley, and Leadwood over the holiday period.
State Fire Marshal Tim Bean told Missourinet data shows only one fireworks-related death in the state over the previous three years.
“Yeah, this is kind of set a precedent for a bad year from previous years. The ERs and things are very, have been very busy,” said Bean. “We had some fire events, etc., but nothing to this magnitude.”
The state is investigating five fireworks-related incidents over the Independence Day holiday time.
According to Bean, bottle rockets and roman candles tend to be the leading cause of fireworks-related injuries.
“Careless use, shooting them at other people or whatever, and they travel some distance and can cause grass fires, even landing on homes on roofs. And there’s been instances where they’ve caused house fires, etc, said Bean.
For children, sparklers are the leading cause of injuries due to burns.
Bean said state data shows the age demographic of those being injured by fireworks is people who are 30 years of age and older.
Seasonal fireworks tents are allowed to sell in Missouri through Thursday.
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