Even The Pros Have Issues Sometimes: Licensed Firework Technician Suffers Injury On 4th

Maine's top fire investigators are looking into an incident that took place in York, on the York Harbor Beach Road, during a pre-Fourth of July fireworks celebration.

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According to the Maine Department of Public Safety, firefighters were called a little after 9 PM to the site of a fireworks display, actively taking place on July 3rd, conducted by a professional pyrotechnician from Central Maine Pyrotechnics

"According to the York Fire Department, a malfunction occurred during the display, injuring the licensed pyrotechnician overseeing the event... The technician sustained minor first-degree burns...Despite the injury, the technician was able to safely complete the fireworks display before seeking medical treatment."

The technician was taken to a hospital in Portsmouth, NH, where they were evaluated, treated, and eventually released.

Investigators from the Maine State Fire Marshal's Office were called in to find out what happened to cause the malfunction. After speaking with the technician and examining the scene of the incident, it was determined that while the firework "cake" had been lit, it didn't light off as it was supposed to. Trying to determine what happened, the technician went over to take another look when it suddenly and unexpectedly blew up. The explosion caused the technician to suffer minor burns.

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The Maine State Fire Marshal's Office says the best advice when it comes to fireworks that don't ignite is to never relight them; instead, leave them alone for 20 minutes, then submerge them in water and dispose of them properly.

We're told the event was sponsored by the York Harbor Reading Room.

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Fireworks season isn't quite over yet. There's one more weekend during which folks in Maine can legally use consumer fireworks. According to the Maine State Fire Marshal's Office, this year, you're in the clear to shoot off approved fireworks between the hours of 9:30 AM and 12:30 AM from July 10th through the 12th, if you're 21 or older and are on private property.