Fireworks Cut Off Pro's Finger at Darlington July 4 Celebration: Fire Marshal

Darlington, MD — A professional fireworks shooter is in stable condition after a a mishap at the Darlington Independence Day celebration cost him part of a finger.

Fireworks Extravaganza, which runs the show, notified authorities after 9:30 p.m. on Saturday that one of its employees had a serious hand injury at the event, located at Francis Silver Park in the 2100 block of Shuresville Road.

The man had been igniting a 3-inch firework with a fuse when it went off at an incorrect angle, partly severing his left ring finger, according to the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

The Darlington Volunteer Fire Company responded and took the 44-year-old victim to MedStar Union Memorial Hospital's Hand Center, where officials said he was in stable condition.

According to the fire marshal, fireworks displays are either ignited electronically or with a fuse, and fire safety inspectors examine the sites beforehand and on the day of the show.

"Deputy State Fire Marshals inspected the display site and the preliminary investigation determined the rack holding the fireworks was properly secured as required by code, and the mortar tube holding the suspected firework intact and exhibited no signs of failure," the fire said in a statement.

Officials said they were continuing to investigate the cause of the explosion.