2 suffer severe fireworks injuries in south Thurston County, officials say
South Thurston Fire & EMS responded to 28 emergency incidents over the Fourth of July weekend, including two cases of serious injuries from fireworks.
According to Fire Chief Kris Gray, the first serious injury occurred 9:30 p.m. Saturday near Grand Mound. First responders arrived to the 17900 block of Leitner Road with advanced life support, Gray said, as emergency air medical transport stood by.
The individual suffered a serious hand injury, Gray added, describing the cause as “using fireworks not as intended.”
The second injury occurred 7:45 p.m. Sunday in Tenino, near the 1300 block of Sussex Avenue. Gray described the injuries as more than minor, but not life-threatening, with the individual suffering some burns to their chest, head and hands.
Gray added that this July Fourth weekend marked the third straight year of severe injuries suffered from fireworks in south Thurston County.
Most firework-related injuries are caused by not following manufacture instructions or other misuse, he said.
South Thurston Fire did not see any severe wildfires, structure fires or other property damage caused by fireworks, Gray said, who noted that local communities seemed prepared to police safe firework use through having buckets of water or garden hoses on hand.