Authorities in Texas and Michigan are investigating the deaths from two separate incidents involving fireworks during the Fourth of July festivities.
In Texas, one person was killed and four were injured Tuesday morning when a house caught fire from explosions of fireworks and “other volatile incendiaries,” the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office said.
At around 10:33 a.m., Upshur County police, fire agencies and medical personnel responded to a large fire at the Firehouse Nine Farm event location in Texas, according to the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office.
“Initial information from the scene indicates that an accident occurred while preparing fireworks for an event later today,” the office said.
The investigation into the events is ongoing, but there are currently no signs of foul play, the office said.
One woman dead, nine injured in Michigan
Meanwhile, a Michigan woman was killed and nine others injured after a firework exploded at a home Monday night, police said.
The explosion occurred Monday at a house in Park Township, near the intersection of Main Street and N. 160 Avenue, at approximately 11:00 p.m., police in Michigan said through the local media outlet WZZM.
It was not clear if the explosion was due to a manufacturing fault or user error, but a lieutenant with the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office told the aforementioned outlet that a 43-year-old woman died in the accident at the holland city.
The deaths came after officials have issued warnings to citizens to keep their forecasts for fireworks at July 4 celebrations, ABC News reported.
Meanwhile, nine other people were injured in the blast, being taken to hospital, ranging from minor to critical injuries, with several homes and vehicles damaged, the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office told WZZM.
Firefighters across the country have warned of increased dangers on July 4 from improper handling of fireworks.
In all, 11 people were killed by fireworks in 2022, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The agency added that 10,200 people were treated for fireworks-related injuries.
With information from ABC News