Wednesday, July 12, 2017

A city of Decatur, Illinois worker suffered a hand injury when a large firework exploded while he was cleaning up a city property


City worker seriously hurt by firework



Posted: Jul 12, 2017 12:15 PM EST
By: Joe Astrouski



DECATUR, Ill. (WAND)- Police are investigating how a city worker was seriously injured Wednesday morning after a firework exploded.

People who live in the area of 27th and East Main say they heard a loud “boom,” came outside and saw a man who appeared injured in a fenced-in area of city property. One neighbor said the man appeared to have a hurt hand.

Police at the scene late Wednesday morning said the city worker was seriously injured when a large firework exploded while he was cleaning up in the area. The worker was taken to an area hospital for treatment.

Decatur Battalion Chief said the firework "was not a little fire cracker." The Illinois State Fire Marshal said they are investigating how the firework got in the area and how it exploded.

Tuesday afternoon, a WAND photographer reported seeing a vehicle marked "Secretary of State Police Bomb Squad" at the scene, along with officers wearing clothing marked ATF.



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DECATUR, IL— A city of Decatur worker was injured Wednesday morning after an accident involving a firecracker, the Decatur Fire Department said.


Battalion Chief Todd McKenzie said the incident happened within a fenced city property in the 2800 block of East Main Street.


McKenzie said at about 10:10 a.m., firefighters at Fire Station 2, located nearby at 2707 E. William St., heard an explosion in the area.


Soon after, other city workers came over from the scene and asked the firefighters for help, McKenzie said. McKenzie said fire crews and police were then dispatched to the area.


McKenzie said the worker suffered a hand injury and was taken to a local hospital for treatment. He also said police are currently investigating the incident.