Fireworks technician recovering from Ti Fourth show

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July 9, 2008

By LOHR McKINSTRY The Press Republican Wed Jul 09, 2008, 07:58 AM EDT

Fireworks caused injury; firm calls accident a fluke

TICONDEROGA -- The fireworks technician injured when three aerial shells exploded near him at Ticonderoga's Fourth of July show is out of the hospital.

John M. Michalak, 42, of Argyle had a deep laceration to his right leg, along with minor burns, cuts and scrapes.

He was hospitalized at Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington but has been released and is recovering, the president of the company that was putting on the show said Tuesday.

Bay Fireworks President Charles Rappa said the Farmingdale-based firm has never had anything like that happen before.

"We followed stringent safety guidelines there, as we do across the nation. We followed the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) code and all safety guidelines. We had an anomaly."

POLICE PROBE

More than 2,000 people were watching the fireworks show Friday night when a chain-reaction blast of three six-inch aerial shells blew apart launch tubes, knocking over another tube, which discharged into the crowd.

Three spectators, along with Michalak and another fireworks technician, were injured when Michalak lit a fuse on the first aerial shell that exploded. The others were either treated and released at Moses-Ludington Hospital or declined care.

Ticonderoga Town Police are conducting an investigation into the mishap, but Investigator Daniel LaFrance said he hasn't yet determined why the shell's display charge exploded on the ground.

An aerial fireworks shell has two black-powder charges: a lift charge to propel it up 100 feet or higher, and a display charge that includes chemicals to give it colors or special effects.

Rappa said Bay Fireworks has been doing Ticonderoga's Best Fourth in the North fireworks show for more than two decades.

"They're one of our oldest and dearest clients. We look forward to being back there next year."

Ticonderoga Town Supervisor Robert C. Dedrick said there will be a show next year.

"It was a fluke. When you have a Kevlar canister -- the material bullet-proof vests are made from --you don't expect it to explode. They were wearing protective clothing, padding, gloves, goggles."

JONES BEACH spill

The incident in Ticonderoga was the second for Bay Fireworks over the weekend. The other occurred off Wantagh's Jones Beach, when a box of firework shells apparently fell off a barge being used as a staging area for a Bay Fireworks show.

Ninety of the shells washed ashore, causing an evacuation of the popular Long Island beach while they were cleaned up.

Rappa said he believes a barge tow rope got crossed, spilling the fireworks into the water.

"We do dozens of barge shows every week with no problem. Our safety record is absolutely impeccable."

The State Department of Labor regulates the transportation and storage of commercial fireworks. Department of Labor spokeswoman Chris Perham said Bay Fireworks has had no citations for mishandling of fireworks.

CAUGHT ON VIDEO

CNBC graphics designer Nick O'Connor was video-recording the show and captured the explosions on video.

O'Connor and his wife, Randi, were visiting relatives in Ticonderoga for the holiday. They were watching the show from a front porch across from the park, and Mr. O'Connor said some of the shells seemed to have a faulty charge.

"I had noticed that one or two of the fireworks shot up into the air only half way or lower before they exploded, but the crew continued to light them off.

"I was shooting a video in anticipation of the finale when the explosion happened. It took me off guard. The sparks from the explosion headed straight for us. Everyone got up and headed away from the explosion. We heard breaking glass and some screaming from across the street.

"Once the initial shock was over, I heard sirens from the ambulances on their way."

Mr. O'Connor posted his video of the accident on his blog.

REVIEW

Dedrick said he will meet with the Ticonderoga Fire Department, police and other stakeholders to formulate an emergency plan for future fireworks shows.

"I want to make sure we thoroughly investigate this. We have to come up with a protocol in case this ever happens again."

He said they'll investigate whether the Ticonderoga Little League Park field that was used for the show is the best place for it.

"Maybe we have to move it back. We're going to look at this. If it does happen again, we want to be totally prepared. We have to protect the public."

lmckinstry@pressrepublican.com