A licensed fireworks technician was injured after a malfunction during a Fourth of July fireworks show in York on Friday night.
According to the Maine Department of Public Safety, the incident happened shortly after 9 p.m. when the York Fire Department requested assistance from the State Fire Marshal’s Office to investigate what went wrong during the display on York Harbor Beach Road.
Officials say the technician, who was supervising the fireworks show, suffered minor first-degree burns and was taken to a hospital in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, as a precaution.
The fireworks display was organized by the York Harbor Reading Room and presented by Central Maine Pyrotechnics.
Investigators with the State Fire Marshal’s Office responded to both the scene and the hospital to interview the technician and examine the incident.
Their preliminary findings indicate that a fireworks “cake” was lit but did not launch as expected. When the technician approached to inspect the device, it suddenly ignited, causing the burns.
Despite being injured, the technician remained on site long enough to safely finish the fireworks show before seeking medical attention. Officials said the technician was treated at the hospital and later released.
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