A 49-year-old man suffered injuries to the face while lighting fireworks in Merrifield Thursday, July 4.
The Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call at 10:20 p.m. on County Highway 3 and determined the man, whose name was not released, was attempting to light four boxes of aerial firework mortars when one went off and struck him in the face.
The man was transported by ambulance to Essentia Health - St. Joseph’s Medical Center Emergency Department and later to the Hennepin County Medical Center to receive treatment for his wounds.
Deputies confiscated more illegal fireworks at the scene, and the incident is under investigation.
The Mission Fire Department, North Memorial Ambulance and Crosslake Police Department assisted at the scene.
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The sheriff’s office emphasizes the danger of all fireworks, especially those that are illegal to purchase/possess in Minnesota. The safest places to enjoy fireworks, the sheriff’s department says, are at venues where they are displayed by professionals doing so legally.
