Undetonated fireworks may wash ashore in Plymouth after barge fire
Fireworks shell exploded inside mortar tube
UPDATED 3:45 PM EDT Jul 05, 2016
PLYMOUTH, Mass. —Plymouth beachgoers are being cautioned after a malfunction caused a fireworks barge to catch fire during a Fourth of July fireworks celebration offshore.
According to witnesses at the scene, the Monday night show began, but witnesses started seeing random explosions on the barge about 15 minutes into the display.
The fire caused all the remaining shells to explode at once in all directions.
Fire officials said the preliminary investigation leads investigators to believe that the fire was caused when a fireworks shell exploded inside a mortar tube.
"Everything was going off really well, then all of a sudden, it all started going off all at once and you could tell something was wrong," a witness said.
"You could tell (the fireworks) were low ... and then you saw flashing lights out there," another witness said.
The barge fire lasted for about 10 minutes and spread to a second barge. The state fire marshal's office said investigators were at the scene to investigate the incident.
"These incidents underscore just how unpredictable fireworks are, even for trained professionals," State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey said.
No injuries were reported.
The town said in a Facebook post Tuesday that the barge fire resulted in many firework shells not detonating, and people are warned to stay away from any fireworks that they find on the beach.
"Due to this unforeseen event, there will be a number of firework shells that will wash up on the shore at the beach, most likely Long Beach, although there could also be some at Nelson’s Park, Stephen’s Field and other shore locations," the town posted on Facebook.
The town said it is working to clean up the shells as quickly as possible.
"The town is making every effort to clean these up immediately. However, the tides could wash up more over the next few days," the town posted.
People are asked to call police or the fire department if they spot a firework shell on the beach.
"We are asking that residents and visitors do not touch these fireworks as they could be dangerous and could result in serious injury if they were to explode. Please call and report any sightings so that the town can properly remove and destroy them," the town posted.
Another, smaller fire broke out Monday on a fireworks barge in Salisbury. That fire was caused when a piece of trash left on the barge igniting.
The person who set off the Salisbury fireworks faces an administrative hearing for a fire code violation.