By Associated Press
BOSTON — A Pennsylvania fireworks company had its license suspended in Massachusetts after workers mowing lawns inadvertently set off unexploded shells from Fourth of July displays, shaking machine operators, Massa chusetts Fire Marshal Stephen Coan said Wednesday.
The size of the commercial mowers protected the workers from the exploding shells in Ware, Waltham and Stoughton days after the shows, Coan said. Unexploded shells were also found in Wilmington and Worcester.
There were no reports of serious injuries as the shells exploded under heavy, commercial lawnmowers, Coan said.
Still, “the operators who were in these machines were severely shaken,” he said.
“These are dangerous” devices measuring at least 2 1/2 inches in diameter, Coan said. “There is an explosive charge, they are commercial-grade fireworks.”
The shells were left behind by New Castle, Pa.-based Pyrotecnico, which produces about 600 fireworks displays across the U.S. around Independence Day. The firm was hired to put on shows in 14 Massachusetts towns.
An investigation will determine if the company violated a state fire code which requires those who put on fireworks shows to return to the scene at first light the following morning and inspect the area to ensure there were no unexploded shells, Coan said.
Pyrotecnico representatives did not immediately respond to a call for comment.
The company told investigators, Coan said, that it received defective fireworks from a supplier in China.
Copyright 2012 Associated Press