Illegal M-80 Damages House; Maryland Bans Most Fireworks

BOWIE, MD — Authorities are seeking two men who allegedly set off a powerful firework that blew up a door and frightened a family.

Such fireworks are illegal in Maryland.

The blast about 2 a.m. Saturday startled a Riverdale family and woke up neighbors. Fire from the M-80 detonation melted siding on the front of the house.

Surveillance video shows two suspects running from the scene. Prince George’s County investigators ask you to call 301-77-ARSON if you recognize the men.

NBC Washington first obtained the video shown below.

Fireworks: What’s Legal and What Isn’t

Most pyrotechnics are prohibited in Maryland. And the city of Baltimore, Prince George’s County and Montgomery County laws ban all fireworks.

Maryland law allows some sparklers, snappers and paper snakes. Ground-based sparklers are prohibited in Ocean City, and Howard and Harford counties, along with the areas mentioned above that ban all types of fireworks.

Violators who possess or discharge illegal fireworks face a misdemeanor fine of up to $250.

Laws Governing the Use of Fireworks in Maryland

Many people have questions about the legality of fireworks in Maryland. The following is a basic summary of the laws from a 2013 Annapolis blog post.

Let’s see some I.D. The sale of sparklers to anyone under the age of 16 is against the law.

What if the fireworks were purchased out of state? If you bought them there, use them there. It is illegal to transport fireworks, even if purchased legally elsewhere, into Maryland.

Boom means doom! If a hand-held or ground-based device generates an explosion, detonation or other loud noise or in any way propels a projectile either along the ground or through the air, it is illegal for private citizens to use. Examples include Cherry Bombs, M-80s, Smoke Bombs, Roman Candles, Sky Rockets and any firework shot from a mortar tube, just to list a few.

“What if I just go ahead and use fireworks in Maryland anyway?”Although you probably won’t go to jail if you’re caught in possession of or discharging fireworks in Maryland, you can expect: 1) Your fireworks to be confiscated; 2) You may be given a criminal citation; and 3) You may be assessed a fine of up to $250 for possession/discharge and up to $1,000 for sale without a permit.