Firework show goes awry in Vanduser, MO

VANDUSER, MO (KFVS) - Hundreds of people showed up to watch the fireworks display in Vanduser on Saturday, June 30 as part of the two-day Fourth of July celebration.

The celebration event came to halt when the fireworks decided to take a turn for the worse.

Vanduser Betterment Committee members Michael Hargrove and Tony Smith stated that the fireworks were mounted on a 2x6 piece of wood.

"We secured the 2x6s to the ground and everything was locked to the ground," Smith stated.

The members said that during the display, one firework in particular did not shoot into the air and exploded in the mortar tube which caused other fireworks to ignite.

"It was going every which direction," Hargrove said.

Hargrove wants to reassure the public that all safety precautions were taken with Scott County Rural Fire personnel on scene and the mortar tubes themselves were secured to the 2x6 piece of wood.

"It (firework) blew the tube off the base," Hargrove added. "The 2x6 was secure and it never moved. It was a manufacturer's malfunction. I myself, being in EMS for nine years, we take safety very serious. When the thing malfunctions, once you light the fuse and it goes off, it's kind of out of our hands."

Hargrove said in a statement on their Vanduser Betterment Committee Facebook page that when the firework cake imploded, there were 15 more shots afterward that went off.

"Also when a firework cake implodes and there are 15 more shots the shooters were trying to take cover as I too was hit," Hargrove said.

Hargrove said that first responders were called to the scene and checked out a committee member that had minor injuries from the fireworks. He said he was checked up by the emergency responders but refused care.

That committee member was Tony Smith and he said once the fireworks started shooting randomly, he protected one of his grandsons right before he was hit.

"Some of the fireworks got a little out of control, malfunctioned and come my way," Smith recalled. "I had one of my grandsons behind me and I pushed him out of the way when I saw it coming. The repercussion of it knocked me to the side and knocked me out."

Smith said this caused panic with the large crowd.

"It was scary. I was frightened. It was bad." Smith said. "The crowd disappeared real quick. The crowd left out when they saw what was going on. Everybody was going to their cars and leaving."

Scott County Rural Firefighters and a Scott County Sheriff's Deputy there notified Hargrove to shut it down immediately. The lighting of the fireworks were discontinued leaving roughly $900 worth of fireworks untouched.

Smith recalled some people did walk away with some minor injuries but nothing severe.

"Some of them got a little spark burn here and there but other than that everybody is fine."

The base of the blamed firework laid shattered in pieces along the 2x6 on Sunday. This firework, along with the other shot fireworks lay in their respected places in the field as members photograph everything and await advice from lawyers and talk with the firework manufacturer.

The unused fireworks were collected and stored. Members said they have no intention in lighting them again.

In a post on their Facebook page, Hargrove apologized to the public for the incident and assured them that they will not be buying fireworks from that particular company again.

We caught up with Smith as he was helping other volunteers on Sunday in breaking down tents, pulling up stakes and cleaning up from the event.

Smith said other parts of the two day event were successful including a flag presentation that brought a tear to his eye and the crowd that responded with an overwhelming applause.

He said while this firework mishap was unfortunate, it doesn't take away from the comforting feeling for him when the community comes together so many times throughout the year.

"This community here, they get involved in what they do and they love it," Smith said.

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