Illegal fireworks seized - Truckload taken from party store after (fatal) accident

[Bozita]

Source: Detroit Free Press


Illegal fireworks seized

Truckload taken from party store after accident

July 4, 2007

BY ZLATI MEYER

FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

Authorities seized a truckload of illegal fireworks from a Melvindale party store Tuesday, the day after a 27-year-old mother of three died when an illegal firework blew up in her face.

Authorities would not say how they linked Tomboy, a party store and deli on Dix not far from the accident scene, to what happened around 10:15 Monday night. It was not clear if charges would be filed.

Danielle Barse of Lincoln Park leaned over an illegal firework, which hadn't ignited, when the commercial-grade aerial mortar shot up into her face, knocking her off her feet. Smoke initially blocked the view of what had happened to her, but seconds later, the informal neighborhood fireworks show in Melvindale ended in horror.

Barse, whose three sons were in the Town Auto Wash parking lot when the firework blew off her face, was pronounced dead on arrival at Detroit Receiving Hospital.



Read more: http://freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070704/NEWS02/707040347/1004&template=printart

[begin_within]

1. She violated a fundamental safety rule of fireworks, which is

included with every box of reloadable shells. You don't look into fireworks after you have put them in the tube. Legal or illegal, the incident is her fault. Sorry.

[formercia]

2. Pyrotechnics are the most dangerous of explosives

all it takes is a spark.

I have had advanced demolition training and taken a bomb scene investigation course at the FBI Academy.

I will not play with fireworks of any kind. Period.

The authorities should throw the book at whomever supplied the fireworks.

[Occulus]

5. "Play with" being the operative words

These aren't toys.

This only proves, in spite of what I had to say yesterday on this topic, that there are indeed some very very irresponsible adults out there.

[LostInAnomie]

3. That's horrible, but it's not the fault of the store that she didn't follow safety rules.

That's like shutting down Walmart because someone lost a hand reaching under a running lawnmower.

[Kagemusha]

6. Selling illegal fireworks was the store's fault all the same.

The woman dying isn't, but Walmart's selling its lawnmowers legally, so it's a difference there.

[Quantess]

4. How terrible for her 3 little boys.

What are they going to do without their mom?

[Smooth Operator]

7. the man is in big trouble

Per ATF regs.






Sec. 55.41 General.


(a) Each person intending to engage in business as an importer or
manufacturer of, or a dealer in, explosive materials, including black
powder, shall, before commencing business, obtain the license required
by this subpart for the business to be operated. Each person who intends
to acquire for use explosive materials from a licensee in a State other
than the State in which he resides, or from a foreign country, or who
intends to transport explosive materials in interstate or foreign
commerce, shall obtain a permit under this subpart; except that it is
not necessary to obtain a permit if the user intends to lawfully
purchase:

(b) Each person intending to engage in business as an explosive
materials importer, manufacturer, or dealer shall file an application,
with the required fee (see Sec. 55.42), with ATF in accordance
with the instructions on the form (see Sec. 55.45). A license shall,
subject to law, entitle the licensee to transport, ship, and receive
explosive materials in interstate or foreign commerce, and to engage in
the business specified by the license, at the location described on the
license. A separate license must be obtained for each business premises
at which the applicant is to manufacture, import, or distribute
explosive materials except under the following circumstances:
(1) A separate license shall not be required for storage facilities
operated by the licensee as an integral part of one business premises or
to cover a location used by the licensee solely for maintaining the
records required by this part.

[noonwitch]

8. Even if the store didn't sell them, we are only 1/2 hour north of Ohio

You can buy most fireworks legally in Ohio. My dad used to get firecrackers for us there all the time. I don't know if they sell M-80s there like they do in Florida, but they sell roman candles and firecrackers.

Indiana also has legal fireworks. In Michigan, if it explodes, it's illegal. Sparklers, snakes and similar things are the only legal fireworks.