Man loses fingers in Antioch firework blast that injured six others
The man who lit the firework remained at a hospital in critical condition as of Sunday afternoon, Lt. William Whitaker said, adding that the man lost several fingers and suffered other injuries to his face and chest.
The explosion, which involved a high-grade firework, occurred around 12:20 a.m. Saturday in a back alley at an apartment complex on Spanos Street, off Sycamore Drive.
Paramedics took four of the men to a hospital, Whitaker said. Two others drove themselves to a hospital, and the boy declined medical treatment. All of the men were in their twenties, police said, and the extent of their injuries was unclear.
Fireworks are illegal in Antioch and throughout Contra Costa County. Whitaker described this weekend's incident as "an unfortunate accident," though he added that detectives continue to investigate the circumstances of the blast.
It followed a major explosion at a Yolo County fireworks warehouse three days before the holiday. Seven bodies were found in the building's rubble and two others were injured, prompting the cancellation of at least a dozen firework shows the company had planned in the region.
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San Francisco Chronicle
10 hours ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Man loses fingers in Antioch firework blast that injured six others
Six men and a 13-year-old boy were injured when a firework exploded at an Antioch apartment complex over the Fourth of July weekend, police said Sunday, as detectives continued to investigate the blast. The man who lit the firework remained at a hospital in critical condition as of Sunday afternoon, Lt. William Whitaker said, adding that the man lost several fingers and suffered other injuries to his face and chest. The explosion, which involved a high-grade firework, occurred around 12:20 a.m. Saturday in a back alley at an apartment complex on Spanos Street, off Sycamore Drive. Paramedics took four of the men to a hospital, Whitaker said. Two others drove themselves to a hospital, and the boy declined medical treatment. All of the men were in their twenties, police said, and the extent of their injuries was unclear. Fireworks are illegal in Antioch and throughout Contra Costa County. Whitaker described this weekend's incident as "an unfortunate accident," though he added that detectives continue to investigate the circumstances of the blast. It followed a major explosion at a Yolo County fireworks warehouse three days before the holiday. Seven bodies were found in the building's rubble and two others were injured, prompting the cancellation of at least a dozen firework shows the company had planned in the region.
Chicago Tribune
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Yahoo
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Deputies confiscate 900 pounds of illegal fireworks in San Bernardino County
Authorities confiscated 900 pounds of illegal fireworks during Fourth of July celebrations in San Bernardino County. The operation targeted the areas of Fontana, Rialto, Bloomington, Lytle Creek, Rosena Ranch, San Antonio Heights, and Mt. Baldy and involved deputies from the Fontana Sheriff's Station and the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. During the operation, authorities discovered approximately 900 pounds of illegal/dangerous fireworks. The confiscated fireworks had a street value of about $7,000. Authorities issued four citations, which included fines of $1,250 per violation. No further details were released as the cases remain under investigation. Anyone with information on similar incidents is asked to call the Fontana Sheriff's Station at 909-356-6767. Anonymous tips can be provided to We-Tip at 1-800-782-7463 or online at Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
