Firework Show in Fort Stewart, Georgia, Ends Earlier Then Expected

The 4^th of July went off wonderfully until the last moment at Fort Stewart this year. In what some spectators thought of as a very short show and an unorganized finale the fireworks show ended.

According to Savannah Morning News a pile of fireworks still on the ground exploded. One of the fireworks went off in the wrong direction and hit a pile of un-launched fireworks. This resulted in a fire it took twenty minutes to get under control. One person was treated and released at the scene. Another unidentified spectator was taken to another local hospital. It was not known what injuries but was described as non life threatening.

The site was likened to that of a pile of pyrotechnics to an exploding ammo dump. Many people did not realize what was going on. The fireworks show at Fort Stewart was supposed to last almost thirty minutes. It was one of the larger ones in the area that was planned. It was only about five minutes into the show when the accident occurred. As soon as the accident was brought to the attention of COL Buchs, Garrison Commander, the remaining show was stopped, according to WTOC.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission reported last June for the 2005 year that there 10,800 injuries treated in U. S. Hospital that involved fireworks. Only a small number, one-hundred, were actually emergency department injuries at public displays. Of these 10,800 injuries reported four were actually fatal. The majority of the injuries were firework related on private property. Many involved children. Most occurred between June 18^th and July 18^th.

The incident could have been much worse. The safety team is still investigating at this time to see the exact cause of the accident. Safety should always be kept in the forefront when dealing with fireworks. The Pyrotechnics Guild International publishes a safety guideline.

No further information is known about the accident at this time.