Mortar Tube Blows Up In Man's Hands, 'Catastrophic' Injuries

MILLERSVILLE, MD — A mortar tube with illegal fireworks blew up as a man held it at a Millersville party Tuesday night, causing "catastrophic injuries" to both of his hands, according to the Anne Arundel County Fire Department. The accident happened shortly after 9 p.m. in the 8300 block of Elvaton Road.

The victim is a 21-year-old man who was taken to the Curtis National Hand Center at Medstar Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore with critical injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening.

The injured man attended a large outdoor party, and several of those attending brought illegal fireworks which had been purchased in Pennsylvania. Investigators say the victim held a mortar tube in one hand and dropped a lit mortar into the tube with the other hand. The mortar was upside down, and the explosion within the tube caused catastrophic injuries to both of his hands.

There were no other injuries, and no criminal charges were filed.

SEE ALSO: Maryland 4th Of July Fireworks 2018: When, Where To Watch

This is the second consecutive year in Anne Arundel County where people have required hospital treatment from fireworks injuries around the Fourth of July holiday. On July 4, 2017, authorities investigated two cases in which people suffered injuries from fireworks. One person suffered a hand injury when they picked up a firework that landed them near them, and it exploded in their hand. The second injured person received burns to their chest when they lit a roman candle.

Other recent incidents in the county include a 19-year-old man injured in Pasadena in June of 2016 when a legal sparkler device malfunctioned and exploded in his face. He suffered eye injuries and concussive ear injuries. Another incident in Arnold in January of 2016 injured five people when an illegal firework (mortar), was placed into the wrong size PVC pipe being used as a launch tube. The mortar became lodged in the launch tube and exploded, sending shrapnel in all directions.

The possession and discharge of fireworks without proper permits is illegal in Anne Arundel County. Sparklers that do not contain chlorates or perchlorates are not defined as fireworks by the law and are legal. Although legal, sparklers can still be dangerous and should only be used outdoors, under adult supervision, and kept away from the body. Sparklers can heat up to 1200 degrees and pose a danger if used improperly.

Fireworks can be dangerous and deadly, the safest way to enjoy them is through public displays conducted by professionals hired by communities over July 4, says the fire department. Parents need to be especially vigilant during this period in assuring that children do not possess dangerous fireworks or mishandle legal ones.

A list of area 4th of July celebrations can be found at the State of Maryland Tourism site http://www.visitmaryland.org/article/4th-of-july-celebrations.

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