Ocean City fireworks canceled after early detonation

Maryland’s Ocean City canceled its Fourth of July fireworks after the pyrotechnics were discharged from a vendor’s truck on the beach earlier in the day.

During the unintentional July 4 discharge, officials said, employees of the fireworks company received minor injuries and refused transport to the hospital by Ocean City Paramedics. No beach or boardwalk patrons were injured.

Firefighters responded to the area of Dorchester Street and the beach and Ocean City Fire Marshals conducted safety inspections.

Due to an abundance of caution, officials canceled the evening’s Downtown Fireworks. 

"Prior to the fireworks being offloaded from the vehicle, fire marshals secure a safe zone around the fireworks and put other safety protocols in place. It is this very zone and safety protocols that kept anyone else from being injured," said Ocean City Fire Chief Richie Bowers in a July 4 release.

Ocean City Bomb Squad personnel, assisted by the ATF, Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office Bomb Squad, and the fireworks vendor, evaluated the fireworks damaged to determine a course of action for safe removal and destruction. 

Updates for the Uptown Show at Northside Park will be provided when they become available.