Culprit mortar box. What triggered the premature on-ground blast? Still under investigation. Image: Sparta Fire Department
Holiday luck: Injuries non-life threatening
SPARTA, Wis. – A packages of firework mortars intended as the finale of a Fourth of July show exploded on the ground and injured five people. Noneof the injuries was serious, said Fire Chief Mike Arnold. The chief said the company that recorded the show had video of the explosion, which may explain what went wrong. Meanwhile, the theory was that one of the display mortars burned through the side of its cardboard container and set off four other mortars. In all, fireworks in 25 tubes discharged. A secure safety zone around the show prevented severe casualties, Arnold said.