Unauthorized Fireworks Cause Injuries At West Orange July 4th Show

WEST ORANGE, NJ — A police investigation continues after unauthorized fireworks at the West Orange July 4th celebration sent a person to the hospital for burn treatment and caused multiple “minor injuries,” the town’s mayor announced Thursday.

The Township of West Orange held its annual Independence Day celebration on Tuesday at West Orange High School. It included fireworks, food trucks, a kids zone, a DJ and other activities.

The town council postponed a vote to authorize the fireworks display in late June, leading to some uncertainty about whether the event would take place this year. Council members said the decision involved safety concerns about planning and crowds.

The council gave a final thumbs-up to the display on June 30, after administrators with the township’s recreation department, police department and public school district – as well as Mayor Susan McCartney – said there was a satisfactory safety plan in place for the fireworks show.

Citing security reasons, West Orange Police Chief James Abbott declined to elaborate on the operational plan, but said police presence at the event would be “double what we had last year.”

• Read More: The Show Will Go On; West Orange Council OKs 2023 Fireworks

Mayor McCartney issued a statement about the fireworks show and ongoing police investigation on Thursday morning.

“Once again, this year, literally thousands enjoyed the July 4th events in West Orange, with the mayor and township council collaborating to provide a wonderful day of events,” she wrote. “The all-day celebration included a food truck festival, large bouncy house inflatables for our youth to enjoy, culminating with the traditional firework display, a long-standing tradition.”

“In preparation for the day’s events, township officials and administrative staff, in concert with the planning performed by the Office of Emergency Management, coordinated with various departments – including police, fire, public works, health and recreation – to ensure a successful and safe day of enjoyment,” McCartney continued. “The day ended, as usual, with a magnificent fireworks display at the West Orange High School complex, with thousands of excited spectators looking on.”

“Unfortunately, during the aerial performance and afterwards, a number of spectators, located outside the designated safe viewing areas, set-off some unauthorized pyrotechnics amongst a crowd, causing confusion, fear and a few minor injuries,” the mayor said.

“Fortunately, West Orange police were prepared and controlled the situation with speed and efficiency, arresting two individuals, while one victim was transported to RWJ Barnabas for burn treatment,” McCartney said.

“The township’s safety plan protected the vast majority of the day’s participants, but unfortunately, the actions of a few put a blanket on the celebration,” she said.

According to McCartney, the West Orange Police Department continues to investigate the incident, including a review of available video surveillance. Anyone with can contact the West Orange Police Department at (973) 325-4000.

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