Fireworks accidents cause injuries, damage on July 4th on Long Island
PORT JEFFERSON STATION, Suffolk County (WABC) -- Two serious incidents involving fireworks on July 4th left several people nursing injuries on Long Island.
A 21-year-old man was seriously injured while lighting a firecracker at a party in Copiague.
Police say Ryan McCloskey blew three fingers off his left hand and seriously injured the other two when the firecracker exploded.
He also suffered burns to his leg.
In a separate incident, four people were hurt when an elaborate fireworks display malfunctioned in Port Jefferson Station.
"Unfortunately, at the end of the show, like probably a minute when he was done with his fireworks, there was a firework that we saw kind of go a little disarray," said an eyewitness. "We knew that was not normal. And I think that was the firework that injured some people."
Two men, a woman and an 8-year-old girl suffered burns and other injuries. One of the men lost a finger.
The incident also damaged several cars.
Video showed dents and scratches on the sides of vehicles and a hole in at least one car window.
""Some small ones here and there is no big deal," said resident Chase DeLuca. "This is a whole production and unfortunately that kind of stuff can happen injuries that you just can't do anything about."
Eyewitness News tried to talk with the homeowner of the display, but they declined to come to the door.
Suffolk police also acknowledged confiscating 15 boxes of fireworks from a Smithtown home. The homeowner was charged with one count of possession of fireworks.
ALSO READ | Person of interest in custody in Central Park sex assault: sources
----------
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News
Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.
