Explosive firework destroys watermelon, table to show dangers of illegal fireworks

By Lou Ponsi

In a demonstration meant to show the dangers of illegal fireworks, a deputy from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department bomb squad on Tuesday set off an explosive which shattered a watermelon into miniscule particles and blew a hole through the table where the thick-skinned fruit had been placed.

The explosion also left marks on a large garage door adjacent to the table.

The impactful – and loud – demonstration took place at Orange Fire Department headquarters and was coordinated by ReadyOC, the leading emergency preparedness agency in the county.

Funded by a grant from the Department of Homeland Security, ReadyOC is administered by the Santa Ana Police Department and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

“Only Safe and Sane fireworks are legal in Santa Ana,” said Santa Ana Public Information Officer Natalie Garcia.

Safe and Sane fireworks are typically those that do not shoot projectiles and are non-explosive and non-aerial. They are also legal in the cities of Anaheim, Buena Park, Costa Mesa, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Los Alamitos, Orange, Stanton, Villa Park, and Westminster.

“There's always a multitude of reports where, unfortunately, children get injured by the debris from these fireworks going off. People lighting them (have) had their hands burnt. They can be very dangerous and so it's just a reminder to me just to use the Safe and Sane fireworks,” Garcia said. “We want everyone to have a very fun, but safe, celebration. So, we put together a demonstration to show how explosive these things are.”

Using illegal fireworks is a crime that can be punishable by six months in jail and/or a fine of $1,000, Garcia said.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, known as CAL FIRE, offers several tips to Orange County residents for using safe and sane fireworks:

· Use only State Fire Marshal-approved fireworks.

· Verify all local ordinances before using fireworks.

· Always read directions.

· Always have an adult present and only use fireworks outdoors.

· Stay away from dry grass or flammable materials.

· Light one firework at a time.

· Have a bucket of water/hose ready to extinguish.

· Save water by using a bucket of gray/recycled water.

Santa Ana Police Department will have a patrol team out on July 4 dedicated to enforcing fireworks laws, Garcia said.

The illegal explosive used for the demonstration was a skyrocket, which can shoot multiple flammable balls into the air, said Sergeant Mike Wigginton of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department bomb squad. Only a single ball ignited by 56 grams of flash powder was used in the demonstration, Wigginton said.

“It devastated this three-quarter inch piece of plywood,” Wigginton said. “It destroyed the watermelon. You can see the damage to the buildings. Just imagine that going off in someone's hands. And that was the smallest of the three that I had at the table.”

Wigginton also demonstrated a “quick match,” a rapidly burning fuse that can ignite an explosive while still in the user’s hand.

“People do not realize it,” he said. “They think they can light that and throw the ball to get their desired audible effect, and it blows up in their hands.”

Wigginton also warned the public against touching or relighting a part of a firework that has been previously burnt.

“Give us a call,” he said. “We'll come out and take care of it.”

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