Fireworks at a Hawaii home spark a deadly explosion, killing at least three | Crime news

Both the state’s governor and Honolulu’s mayor pledged to crack down on illegal fireworks in the wake of the explosion.

A fireworks explosion killed at least three people in a residential neighborhood in Honolulu, Hawaii, in a tragic start to the new year on the island of Oahu. Two were pronounced dead at the scene.

The explosion occurred just after midnight on Wednesday local time (10:00 GMT), while revelers were celebrating New Year’s. Up to 20 others were injured.

The explosion occurred in a house, and drone footage of the explosion showed an abundance of fireworks erupting in a column of smoke in the night sky.

Jim Ireland, director of the Honolulu Department of Emergency Services, said he saw numerous burns and “blast injuries” when he arrived at the blast site, including shrapnel.

“I’ve been in emergency medical services for over 30 years, and this was probably the worst call I’ve ever had, in terms of the sheer tragedy, the number of patients, the severity of the injuries,” Ireland said.

He explained that the injuries require a “massive response.” The Irish administration deployed 10 ambulances, and he indicated the presence of ambulances from the Federal Fire Department as well.

The explosion occurred not far from a joint US Air Force and Navy base. Fire engines from nearby Pearl Harbor responded to the scene.

At a news conference, Honolulu Fire Department representative Justin Brownfield said his agency also sent eight units and two battalion chiefs. He described the “massive wreckage” at the site.

“Initial units at the scene encountered dozens of victims, including many in critical condition,” Ireland said, describing his initial impressions of the scene.

The United States government frequently warns of the dangers associated with amateur fireworks use during the holiday season.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission, a government agency, Reports Eight deaths and an estimated 9,700 injuries are attributable to the use of fireworks in 2023 alone.

Details have not been released about what caused the fireworks to explode Wednesday in Honolulu.

But Hawaii Governor Josh Green called for the use of fireworks that are not permitted in a statement Response to the explosion.

Aerial fireworks are being considered, as well as ground-based fireworks such as sparklers and sparklers illegal In Ohio.

“Because combating illegal fireworks was a priority, we created the Illegal Fireworks Task Force last year to identify and disrupt supply chains,” Gov. Green said in a statement Wednesday.

“So far we have confiscated 227,000 pounds (103,000 kg) of illegal fireworks, but incidents like this remind us of the ongoing challenges we face.”

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi also issued a press release to local media vowing to impose harsher penalties against those who use fireworks illegally.

“This incident is a painful reminder of the danger posed by illegal fireworks, which put lives at risk, drain our first responder resources, and disrupt our communities,” Blangiardi said in the statement.

“Year after year, a minority of individuals recklessly put us all at risk. This is absurd and unacceptable. My administration remains committed to working with federal and state agencies to shut down this illegal fireworks trade once and for all.”