Man has 3 fingers amputated after fireworks accident in Pompano Beach

28-year-old lighting firecracker when it blows up

POMPANO BEACH, Fla. – A 28-year-old man had three fingers on his right hand amputated Saturday night after a firecracker he was lighting blew up, authorities said. 

The incident, which took place at about 8:20 p.m. in the 5100 block of Northeast 18th Terrace, left the man with burns  his face, torso, hair and hands, according to Pompano Beach spokeswoman Sandra King. 

Two fingers on the man's left hand were also severely injured. 

Neighbors said they heard a loud boom when the accident occurred. 

"When that one went off, it shook the window in my house," a neighbor said. 

Neighbors know the injured man as Rusty. They said he works in construction and loves to fish.

King reminded residents to use caution during Fourth of July celebrations.

"It's not worth your life. It's not worth your hands," she said. "This poor gentleman received severe, severe injuries at 28 years old."

Pompano Beach Fire Rescue took the man to Broward Health North, where he was treated for his injuries. 

A similar incident took place in Fort Lauderdale, where another man lost three fingers trying to light fireworks. His arms were also badly burned. 

"It's dangerous," King said. "It's potentially maiming people (and) killing people."


About the Authors:

In January 2017, Hatzel Vela became the first local television journalist in the country to move to Cuba and cover the island from the inside. During his time living and working in Cuba, he covered some of the most significant stories in a post-Fidel Castro Cuba.