Fourth of July Fireworks Explode on Boat, Injuring Multiple People
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Multiple people were injured after fireworks exploded on a boat in Alabama during a show to mark the Fourth of July.
Newsweek has contacted the Tallapoosa County Sheriff's Office and Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) for comment via emails sent outside regular business hours.
The Context
The incident occurred in the Blue Creek area on Lake Martin at around 9 p.m. local time on Friday as a large number of people had gathered to watch a fireworks show to mark the Independence Day holiday.
What To Know
Fireworks had been launched from the boat for several minutes when one exploded low near the vessel, the Alexander City Outlook reported. The entire vessel then caught fire and was burning for some time.
Video posted to social media shows the moment the explosion on the boat occurred, prompting multiple fireworks to be set off at once.
At least five people were injured, according to the Alexander City Outlook. However, the severity of their injuries was not immediately known.
The newspaper reported that at least three medical helicopters flew to the area to transport some of those who were injured to area hospitals, while others were transported by ambulance.
The Tallapoosa County Coroner confirmed to AL.com that there have been no reports of fatalities.
Fireworks illuminate the skyline above the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and U.S. Capitol during U.S. Independence Day celebrations, as seen from Arlington, Virginia, on July 4.
Fireworks illuminate the skyline above the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and U.S. Capitol during U.S. Independence Day celebrations, as seen from Arlington, Virginia, on July 4.
Mohammad Reza Mousavi/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images
Meanwhile, seven people were transported to the hospital with burns after their boat exploded on Lake Lanier in Georgia on Friday.
The Hall County Sheriff's Office told Fox5 Atlanta that the vessel was being towed in Landshark Cove when it burst into flames at around 7 p.m.
The person operating the boat rescued all seven people and transported them to paramedics in Margaritaville, the local news station reported.
The two incidents on Friday come days after an explosion at a fireworks warehouse in rural Northern California.
A barrage of fireworks exploded in the warehouse on Tuesday night, causing a massive blaze that collapsed the building and forced evacuations in the surrounding community. Rescue crews are continuing to search for seven people missing after the explosion. The cause of the explosion remains under investigation.
What People Are Saying
Meteorologist James Spann wrote on Facebook alongside a video of Friday's incident: "This is video of an explosion during a fireworks show tonight on Blue Creek at Lake Martin. There have been multiple injuries and several emergency medical helicopters were dispatched. Law enforcement is asking for boaters to stay away from this area."
What Happens Next?
The ALEA's Marine Police Division is investigating the incident.
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