CHARLES CITY, Iowa, July 5, 2008

Iowa Fireworks Display Injures 12

Accident One Of Several Across Country In Which Fireworks Cause Injuries To Launchers And Spectators Alike

    • A firework shell explodes near a crowd of people in Charles City, Iowa on Friday, July 4, 2008, during its Fourth of July Fireworks Display, just as the show was gearing for the finale.

      A firework shell explodes near a crowd of people in Charles City, Iowa on Friday, July 4, 2008, during its Fourth of July Fireworks Display, just as the show was gearing for the finale.  (AP/R. Kronberg, Charles City Press)

    • Emergency first responders treat an injured person after a fireworks shell exploded near a crowd of people witnessing a fireworks show in Charles City, Iowa, on Friday, July 4, 2008. Two helicopters were called in to assist. Most of the victims suffered minor injuries.

      Emergency first responders treat an injured person after a fireworks shell exploded near a crowd of people witnessing a fireworks show in Charles City, Iowa, on Friday, July 4, 2008. Two helicopters were called in to assist. Most of the victims suffered minor injuries.  (AP/S. Schwickerath, C.C. Press)

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  • Photo Essay The Big Bangs

    The most spectacular Fourth of July fireworks from coast to coast.

(AP)  An accident during a municipal Fourth of July fireworks display injured at least a dozen people, local fire officials said.

Most of the victims suffered minor injuries.

The Charles City Fire Department said the accident occurred when ground level fireworks were exploding Friday night. Witnesses said a fireball veered into the crowd of spectators.

Elsewhere, police in Riverside, Ohio, said a man lost part of his leg when fireworks went off inside his parked SUV, blowing the windows out of the vehicle.

A 6-year-old girl in Bayville, N.Y., suffered second-degree burns when fireworks landed in her lap, police said.

Investigators said it wasn't immediately clear who launched the fireworks but said the child wasn't at a public pyrotechnics display.

At Port Huron, Mich., a 51-year-old man was critically injured when he was struck in face by a mortar-type firework while several were setting off illegal fireworks at a home, the St. Clair County sheriff's department said.

Officers said the man was placing the firework in a tube when it ignited.

© MMVIII The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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by ioweign July 7, 2008 1:04 PM EDT
Iowa= Idiots out wondering around.

Posted by scurbiedog at 05:08 PM : Jul 05, 2008

Hey - We''ll have none of that !!!
Reply to this comment
by keithle1 July 6, 2008 11:17 AM EDT
See one fireworks display, you''ve seen ''em all.
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by sistatee-2009 July 6, 2008 3:02 AM EDT
After the bang he was a missin 3 fingers and he got blood in my pitcher of Miller Lite. I said the hell with it and still drank my beer.

Posted by Bubbabear200 at 11:40 PM : Jul 05, 2008

With Miller Lite, mix plasma not whole blood.
Reply to this comment
by bubbabear200 July 6, 2008 2:40 AM EDT
I remember a few years back in a Milwaukee bar a dude lit the fuse of a M80 and then tried to blow it out.
After the bang he was a missin 3 fingers and he got blood in my pitcher of Miller Lite. I said the hell with it and still drank my beer.
Reply to this comment
by usmcvn1 July 5, 2008 10:58 PM EDT
Fireworks don''t hurt people, people hurt their own dumb azz''s.
Reply to this comment
by ryhobes July 5, 2008 10:57 PM EDT
Just like to say i was across the river from this happening, and no it is not huge national news. This picture is only the start of it. Shells shot into the audience on the bridge and the crowd where i was. I have a video of it which can be found on youtube. I was dead center and just like to add that its about 40 people injured now and not 12. Im not here to argue what so ever, just to inform. thanks.
Reply to this comment
by standncount July 5, 2008 10:57 PM EDT
"Fireworks were invented by the Chinese. Why are Americans, who generally despise cheap Chinese doodads, celebrating "freedom" with Chinese inventions?"

Because Americans are ignorant when it comes to knowing where products are made.
We always assume a product with an American name is American-made.

How much of your iPod is Chinese-built?
Crack it open (if you can) and find out.

What about your computer? It doesn''''t matter who makes it?
Open that up and see how many Chinese-built parts are in it.

Ignorance Is Bliss is more than a saying; its a way of life.

Posted by cyberDJs4

So... Where is all your stuff made??? Hmmm, Ignorants is bliss isn''t it?
Reply to this comment
by mark46n July 5, 2008 10:15 PM EDT
Not surprising happens every year, moving on Go Rays.
Reply to this comment
by akpals July 5, 2008 10:11 PM EDT
Why do the minor injuries of 12 people get media attention? Who cares?? Isn''t there anything more important going on in the US today?
Reply to this comment
by sistatee-2009 July 5, 2008 9:28 PM EDT
All that smoke must be bad for the ozone.
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