Several individuals, including a police officer, were injured after a firework incident during the Centerville Freedom Fest on Saturday. According to ABC4, the event turned chaotic just before 10 p.m. on Saturday at Centerville Community Park when a firework intended to celebrate Independence Day mistakenly exploded into the crowd.
A witness at the scene recounted the moment leading up to the explosion, describing the gripping fear that followed. "He was like, 'Are you serious?' Like he was yelling at somebody over there, and then he went to stomp it out. And as soon as soon as he went to stomp it out, it just exploded like a huge fireball of sparks,” Phelps told FOX13. Phelps and his family were close enough to feel the aftermath of the explosion, which left a police officer with significant injuries.
Lt. Will Barnes with the Centerville Police Department confirmed to FOX13 the injuries sustained by the officer: “A portion of it hit him in his left calf, which caused some deep bruising and burning, melted through his pants and caused a second-degree burn on his leg.” The explosion not only harmed those physically struck but also ruptured the evening's festive atmosphere.
The tragic mishap is currently under investigation, and Lt. Barnes mentioned that they could be charging the responsible individuals with severe offenses. Charges such as using an explosive to cause injury and assault on a police officer are on the table, as per KUTV. In the difficulty of accepting that a couple of "bad apples" might alter the future of a beloved community event, resident Rogers expressed concern, saying, "I would just feel so bad for the entire community.” Barnes also stressed the need for parents to ensure their children do not have access to dangerous items like fireworks.
