The 4th of July is supposed to be a time of the year to celebrate our country, and gather with family and friends to watch some amazing patriotic fireworks displays. Sometimes though, the 4th of July can turn deadly; and of course, fireworks are not only used on the 4th of July; they are used worldwide for all kinds of ceremonies and celebrations. Let’s look at the top five most catastrophic July 4th and fireworks related accidents.
5. Simi Valley Park Tragedy
Number five on the list occurred in Simi Valley, California, in 2013. As was the case all over the country on that 4th of July night, roughly 8,000 to 10,000 California residents were gathered in a Simi Valley park, anxiously awaiting a spectacular fireworks show. Although it is unclear how the incident occurred, investigators who spent days after the accident gathering evidence initially stated that the display either tipped over or detonated early. Whatever the cause, the result was an onslaught of red, white and blue fireworks shooting directly into the crowd. While luckily there were no deaths, 39 people, ages ranging from 17 months to 78 years, were severely injured. Many had extended stays in hospitals with severe burns and shrapnel wounds. Numerous people were trampled as terrified residents ran for safety.
4. Child Killed by Float
In 2013 on the 4th of July, an eight year old boy from Oklahoma was tragically killed. The young boy was riding on a martial arts float in a parade his town held for the holiday. It is not clear whether the boy fell from the float, or was trying to get down because the parade had ended. Part of the float, patriotically decorated, struck the child as he reached the ground. The driver of the float did not realize that the boy had fallen or reached the ground, and continued to drive, running over and killing the child. Reports from eye witnesses at the scene stated that the driver was not driving recklessly, but was not sure where he was going. Another heartbreaking part of this story is that the driver of the float was the eight year old boy’s father. He had accidently killed his own son. Many of the child’s friends and family witnessed the horrific event.
3. Decapitated Man
In 2011, one of the most graphic fireworks related accidents occurred. Jesse William Burley, a 41 year old resident of Fargo, North Dakota and father of two young children, was going to set off a fireworks display in his suburban neighborhood for family friends and neighbors. According to a neighbor, Chris Hanson, Burley set off a mortar-style firework, and within ten seconds of lighting the first set he attempted to light a second one. Hanson reported that, “He [Burley] lit it and all we saw was a cloud of smoke, a bang. When I walked up to his body, it was nothing but his shoulders down.” Tragically, Burley was decapitated by the fireworks display in front of many, including his own small children.
2. Mexico: Fireworks Truck Leaves Wake of Destruction
Mexico City is the location of the next disaster. In 2013, a truck carrying fireworks for a religious ceremony exploded after a lit firework went off and landed on the truck. Apparently there was a parade going on and people were shooting off fireworks in celebration when one tragically misfired. The result was an explosion in an open-air marketplace of roughly 43,000 square feet. 16 people were killed in this tragedy, while 70 other people were severely burned and critically injured. The aftermath of this catastrophe were streets filled with pieces of charred human remains and clothes. Some of the debris even landed on nearby rooftops belonging to the villagers. Again, this is yet another horrible accident that could have been prevented. Even if it was a religious celebration, why were villagers shooting off fireworks when a truck filled with fireworks was making its way through the streets? That is something that could only end badly, and sadly, for many people it did.
1. Enshede Fireworks Factory Disaster
Possibly the most horrific of the top five most catastrophic July 4th and fireworks related accidents occurred in the residential area of Enshede, located in The Netherlands. In 2000, in a fireworks factory located in the area, a small fire started. Reportedly, there were bins of fireworks that were not stored properly by some careless factory workers, and the fire inevitably spread to these bins. Like a domino effect, about 100 tons of fireworks went off almost simultaneously. The power of the explosion was said to be equal to or greater than a large bomb. In the incredible outburst that had the entire building lit up and exploding, 23 people lost their lives. 947 were horribly injured. Not only that, but in the area of Enshede, over 1200 residents were left homeless. Not only was this tragedy something that could have been prevented, it begs to ask the question, why on earth is there a huge fireworks factory in the middle of a residential town?
These are only the top five most catastrophic July 4th and fireworks related accidents. Sadly, there are thousands of others. The United States Fire Administration and the National Fire Protection Association reported that 8,600 Americans are seriously injured each year by malfunctioning fireworks. While the 4th of July is a holiday meant to bring people together and fill them with a patriotic sense of pride, it is important to remember to be aware of your surroundings, and of course, leave the fireworks to the professionals. Hopefully, they get it right.
By: Lauren DiDonato
