From Michigan to California, July 4th firework mishaps claimed lives and injured dozens

A woman died and nine other people suffered injuries after fireworks exploded at a Michigan home. A man in Kentucky was killed trying to light a commercial-grade firework with a homemade mortar tube.

These incidents are among nearly a half-dozen reported firework-related fatalities police and fire officials said have taken place across the nation during this year’s Fourth of July festivities.

Below is a round-up of deaths as well as and other major pyrotechnic-related injuries reported so far across the U.S.

Firework-related deaths 2023

• In Texas, Jared Scott Maddox, 58, of Gilmer, died and four others were hurt Tuesday morning when a house caught on fire from “fireworks explosions and other volatile incendiaries,” according to the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office.
• In Kentucky, Brian Simpson, 48, of Florence, died Tuesday night after deputies determined Simpson was attempting to light a commercial-grade firework using a homemade mortar tube, the Boone County Sheriff’s Office said.
• In Missouri, police said fireworks Tuesday night likely sparked a garage fire at a home that killed a St. Charles County man, the St. Louis Dispatch reported. His identity was not immediately released.
• In Michigan, 10 people, including a 43-year-old woman who died, suffered injuries in Park Township Monday night after a home fireworks explosion. Several area homes and vehicles were also damaged, the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office said. The woman’s identity was not released.

Fatal Texas fireworks explosion:1 dead, 4 others injured after fireworks explosion in Gilmer, Texas, ahead of July 4 event

Firework-related injuries 2023

• In Connecticut, NBC reported two people including a 16-year-old girl were injured Tuesday when an illegal fireworks display stand in Somers tipped over and launched toward a crowd.
• In Massachusetts, a 40-year-old man suffered “traumatic injuries” to his leg and hand from a firework explosion in Yarmouth, the Yarmouth Fire Department told CBS.
• In Illinois, a 22-year-old man and an 18-year-old man from London Mills, suffered hand and fingers amputations while shooting off fireworks Tuesday, the Knox County Sheriff’s Department said.
• Also in Illinois, a 58-year-old man was critically injured after a firework exploded in his face in Cary on Sunday night, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office said.
• In Los Angeles, a man lost part of his hand while lighting fireworks in an intersection, KTLA reported.
• In New Jersey, a person suffered severe burns after a home fireworks display ignited and struck a group of people on a nearby barge Monday night. The Byram Township Police Department said three people were arrested on charges in connection to the case including reckless endangerment.
• In Michigan, several people suffered minor injuries, and one person was taken to a hospital Monday night after fireworks landed in a crowd during a fireworks celebration in Allegan, the city told CBS. 
• In Indiana, a man was injured Sunday after a mortar firework was launched into his vehicle, Fox 59 reported. Police are looking for a suspect.