STOW, Mass. — The fireworks shooter who conducted the Fourth of July display in Edgartown is prohibited from pyrotechnics work in Massachusetts for the next five years, after more than two dozen unexploded commercial fireworks shells washed ashore on Chappaquiddick Island after the holiday, fire officials said.
Anthony Marson of Maine waived his right to an administrative hearing and accepted a 10-year suspension of his fireworks certificate of competency, which is the license a fireworks shooter must have to work lawfully in Massachusetts, State Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey said in a statement on Wednesday. Also, Marson’s employer, Central Maine Pyrotechnics, could face a two-year prohibition if the company violates the terms of a licensing disposition reached on Wednesday.
The unexploded shells that washed ashore ranged from three to eight inches in diameter and were highly explosive, with the potential to cause grave physical injury or worse, Ostroskey said. Both Marston and Central Maine Pyrotechnics acknowledged violations of the Massachusetts Fire Code in connection with the show and its aftermath, including the requirements for proper disposal of unfired shells and a search at first light the next morning for unexploded shells.
“Fireworks are inherently dangerous,” Ostroskey said. “Communities trust professional fireworks vendors to handle these devices with the utmost caution and professionalism. We’re extremely fortunate that no one was injured by the grave public safety hazard that unexploded shells posed on a public beach.”
Under the terms of the disposition, Marson will serve five years of that suspension, effective July 6, 2023 to the date on which his license was suspended as an imminent threat to public safety, Ostroskey said. The remaining five years will be held in abeyance as a probationary period. Marson’s employer, Central Maine Pyrotechnics, also waived their right to a hearing and accepted a two-year suspension that will be held in abeyance as a probationary period.
If Marson or Central Maine Pyrotechnics fail to comply with the terms of their respective dispositions or commit any violation of Massachusetts law or the Comprehensive Fire Safety Code, the portion of their suspension held in abeyance will be reinstated in addition to any additional penalties they may face, Ostroskey said.
Responding to the scene of the unexploded shells were the Edgartown Police and Fire Departments, Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad technicians, the State Police Fire & Explosion Investigation Unit assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office, and the Department of Fire Services’ Code Compliance & Enforcement Unit.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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