HOMESTEAD, FL – A man was airlifted to the hospital after suffering severe injuries in a fireworks-related incident on Thursday afternoon. The accident occurred in Florida City, but the man managed to drive himself to a residence in Homestead, where emergency services were alerted.
Witnesses reported seeing a U-Haul van with blood on its side and what appeared to be an injured hand hanging out of the window. Police responded to the scene, where they discovered the man had sustained significant injuries to his hand due to mishandling fireworks.
Upon arrival, officers discovered a large collection of heavy-duty fireworks inside the U-Haul. The van was promptly unloaded, and the explosives were laid out on the sidewalk for inspection. As a precaution, authorities called in the bomb squad to assess the situation further.
According to the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, incidents like these highlight the importance of handling fireworks with care. Spokesperson Erica Benitez emphasized that only one person should be responsible for lighting fireworks at a time, ensuring they move quickly to minimize the risk of injuries or burns. She also advised that fireworks should always be lit on non-flammable surfaces and never attempted to be relit if they fail to ignite initially.
Benitez stressed the importance of having safety measures in place, such as a garden hose or fire extinguisher, to quickly address any emergencies that may arise. The incident serves as a cautionary tale of the potential dangers associated with personal fireworks displays.
The injured man was transported to Jackson Trauma Center, where he remains in stable condition. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, as authorities work to determine the exact circumstances leading up to the accident.
As the holiday season approaches, officials urge residents to purchase fireworks only from approved vendors and adhere strictly to safety guidelines to prevent similar accidents.