When a wood platform holding live fireworks tipped over during a Fourth of July parade in Simi Valley, about 40 miles northwest of Los Angeles, 28 people were injured as pyrotechnics exploded, the Christian Science Monitor reported. Police were still investigating what led to the explosion, but said early indications show a platform designed and built to hold the fireworks gave way.
"For some unknown reasons the structure that holds these ordinances collapsed and caused them to be firing into the crowd," Simi Valley police Cmdr. Stephanie Shannon said. None of the injuries were considered life-threatening, but four people were listed in serious condition. Sixteen more were taken to hospitals with minor to moderate injuries. The remainer had been treated at the park where emergency crew set up a triage area.
In North Myrtle Beach South Carolina, a worker was injured on Thursday evening when a shell exploded prematurely. The explosion, which took place at the Cherry Grove Pier caused the fireworks show to end early, after just six minutes, news reports said.
In the Simi Valley California, a video clip showed a pair of firework blasts at or near the ground. Another clip showed three ground-level bursts. The fireworks continued for almost another minute before stopping.
"There was a big boom, everybody started running down the street, people were screaming," Justice Allen, 17, of Simi Valley told the Los Angeles Times. "Everybody was just terrified. People hid in bushes."
The annual July 4th celebration has been sponsored by the city and the local Rotary Club for the past 43 years.
