From the Office of the State Fire Marshal:
Deputy State Fire Marshals investigated an incident involving a 15-year-old female who sustained 2nd degree burns to her legs and fingers after an illegal firework exploded.
The July 4th incident occurred at 9:50 PM after the teenager and her family were observing an illegal fireworks display in front of 1802 Brickhouse Lane in Fallston, Harford County. Investigators determined the homeowner, Jeffrey S. Hoffmann (51) was igniting both ground based and aerial fireworks when a stray aerial firework did not launch properly and exploded in the front of the girl as she was sitting on the ground approximately 25 feet away. In an effort to provide medical aid, the teen’s father placed her in the home’s swimming pool. Emergency personnel from Fallston Volunteer Fire Company responded and later transported the teenager to Johns Hopkins Hospital Pediatric Burn Unit with 2nd Degree Burns to approximately 9% of her legs and fingers.
At the conclusion of the investigation, Deputy State Fire Marshals determined the aerial fireworks that injured the teen were purchased in Pennsylvania. Investigators issued Hoffman criminal citations totaling $500.00 for the discharge and possession of fireworks without a permit.
“Every year Marylanders are injured by fireworks. By acting responsibly, we can help eliminate injuries. I would again, highly suggest the safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend one of the many public displays throughout the state” stated Brian S. Geraci.
Sounds like a law suit
And well it should be a lawsuit, to discourage all irresponible adults from putting on their dangerous amateur pyrothechnic displays.
It was one person who got hurt. Very tragic but lets talk about how many overdoses happened on the fourth of july from legal alcohol drinkers. Things are going to happen every once and a while, that’s life. But for the most part things stayed safe
Every year, there are more and more illegal fireworks displays in the area. With PA blatantly catering to sell to MDers and HCSO completely unwilling to enforce any illegal firework laws, it is no wonder. It really is getting out of control. Not to mention, the drunks feel it is a good idea to continue to launch fireworks into the early hours of the morning (dogs and babies really appreciate this).
I would like to see a crack down on fireworks next year to get this under control. As always, I am sure the Dagger crowd will suggest HCSO will be unable to enforce other laws if they are enforcing fireworks laws.
Well, the guy was issued a $500 criminal citation, Pennsylvania is like a hop, skip and a jump away and PA Vendors only sell to people from MD while they are in PA. I really don’t know what more you want someone to do. A TORT was committed against the injured party due to an illegal act. The injured party will sue. The injured party will win. The defense will submit the CLAIM to their Home Owners Insurance. The injured will get paid, probably pretty handsomely. The Home Owners Insurance will either get increased dramatically or dropped by the carrier. End of story……
And Officer Marston still lied for an illegal warrant, as the world turns, maybe he will raid their house next, right Soulman?
I guess he could, but what PC would he have to get the warrant. Sounds to me like the investigation is over in this case……
Old Crust, What’s the plan? Check point at every road into Harford County, year round?
I’m sure that’ll go over well with PR and not to mention, all the butt hurt over putting so much resources at the state line to check every MD tagged vehicle for aerial fireworks for 2 big days a year (new years and independence day).
That would be a good start, SoulCrusher. Think of it as a revenue generator for the county. I don’t mind revenue from busting law breakers.
Old Man, the County won’t get the money you dope, the offended party will. That would be the one who got injured.
No you dopes. I am saying when they see someone lighting off illegal fireworks, go arrest them for terrorism and contributing to the delinquency of minors because there are always kids around. You all are a bunch of commie punks.
Terrorism, really? Wow, you really are clueless….
Setting off illegal explosives in a crowd? Yeah, terrorism. Watch the news you jack-holed commie liberal. It happens every day.
Even when the illegal explosive was set off in celebration of the Nation’s Birthday? Set off not to kill, but to honor a timeless tradition of setting off explosives in honor of the Battle of Fort McHenry? That’s just crazy man……. Intent is everything.
Ignore my comments, I’m just a junkie internet troll.
You really can’t fix stupid.
More people OD and get involved in an MVC daily in Harford County.
Just listen to the scanner if you think I’m lying.
Two major holidays with high probability of aerial fireworks is low on the radar setting up some sort of “task force” or adding hours of extra manpower.
Sorry, its just common sense.
You can embellish your trolling posts about the doom of Fireworks but its small potato’s. As evident, things can go wrong and people get hurt. The same can be said in the first sentence of my post that is a way more widespread problem.
Aggressive driving MVC? Arrest that person for terrorism. LOL WAT
So by your logic, Rude person, why do we have any laws if only the “important” ones (deemed by you) will be enforced?
Addicts are going to use drugs if they want to use drugs, no law enforcement will change that. Nothing against them, that’s just the way it works when people have that disease.
Disregard my post. I just realized aerial fireworks are a civil penalty.
By the way, I love the sausage.
Why don’t you tell us what you think they should do to prevent or deter this type of behavior? Lets not go back to charging them with terrorism, as that is just not an option. Any other ideas?
I find it kind of interesting that “Old Man” uses big internet words like “logic” but see no where in “Rude person” post where they deemed fireworks less important than others. They just mentioned it was “small peanuts” in comparison.
Surely “Old Man” even if your best trolling attempt you should have your own logic of how much resources it would take to “enforce” aerial fireworks by our on duty patrol law enforcement during Holiday weekends.
Well for starters, if they see someone lighting off illegal fireworks, cite them. Is that tough?
I don’t know what you mean by “trolling attempt.”
What’s the ratio of illegal speeding tickets to written/verbal warnings?
Lots of people going faster than 65 on I95.
Logic, huh
Now that I think about it, charging these folks with acts of terrorism may be a good idea.
Go fluck yourself.
Oh, no you didn’t. I am the crusher of souls. Please disregard the comment at 7-7-15 at 2:13pm. My last comment was at 7-7-15 at 7:50 am. Someone used the name of the Great One to ruffle your feathers.
This article is a bit confusing. It reads like a neighbor was setting off fireworks and a child was injured. News reports say that the person who was setting off the fireworks was the child’s father?
Really? I made my comments from the info supplied by the Dagger. I also just checked the story on three other web sites. Not one of them has claimed that the man who received the citation was the teen’s father. They all say the teen’s father placed her in a swimming pool in an effort to provide medical aid, just like the Dagger says. Are you sure of your information?
No I’m not. I thought I heard one of the local TV stations report that the father was the one lighting off the fireworks. I don’ have a link so I may be mistaken.
That’s cool. Just wondering…..