Fireworks Crew Danced To Avoid Burning Embers

A few hours before the show started, Danny Fox joked about taking cover on a submerged log at the back of the fireworks barge if anything went wrong.

Five minutes into the Lake City Jaycees’ Fourth of July display, the Channel 58 cameraman was making for the log. The fireworks that were supposed to be saved for the finale were detonated accidentally on the barge. He wrapped his legs around the logs and kept filming.

“It was a kick in the butt,” said Fox, comparing it to the best ride in Disneyland. “Seven or eight minutes worth of fireworks went up in 20 seconds.”

But he says he feels sorry for the Jaycees, who put thousands of dollars and weeks of work into the show. “I hope people don’t curtail their donations,” Fox said. “It wasn’t their fault.”

The accident was caused by a six-inch shell that ignited too soon after it was launched from the barge, said Trish Hoehne, management vice president for the Lake City Jaycees. Sparks rained down into the remaining pyrotechnics, setting off some of the show right on the deck.

Fox made for the log, which was sitting about a half-foot under the surface at the back of the barge. The other five people stayed on deck, dodging and dancing away from the storm of burning embers.

All were wearing fire resistant jackets. Mark Huff and Don Prokop were the only ones hurt and their injuries were minor.

The Jaycees plan to talk to the Utah company it hired to do the show, Lantis Fireworks Co. about a possible refund. Beyond that, the biggest concern is convincing people to come back next year.

“We are going to have to do a lot of scrambling and a lot of apologizing to the community,” Hoehne said.

, DataTimes