Fireworks explode in technician's face before USF game

By EMILY NIPPS, Times Staff Writer
Published September 2, 2007

TAMPA -- A pyrotechnician was seriously injured before Saturday's University of South Florida football game at Raymond James Stadium when part of a fireworks display exploded in his face.

Joseph Castonguay, 28, of Tampa was setting up a tray of mines and crossettes, which shoot balls of flames and sparks, near the 40-yard line just before the 7:05 p.m. kickoff, according to a Tampa Fire Rescue report. As he set the tray down, six of the 10 devices went off, striking him directly in the face and upper body.

Castonguay, who works for Bell's Fireworks, was about 30 yards from fans in the stands when the incident occurred, Fire Rescue officials said. Paramedics treated him immediately before taking him to Tampa General Hospital. He suffered second- and third-degree burns on his face, arms and chest, but the injuries weren't considered life-threatening.

Bell's Fireworks also set up displays in St. Pete Beach and Treasure Island on July 4, when defective fireworks exploded and injured a dozen people.

A Tampa fire inspector will continue to investigate the cause of the fireworks' errant ignition, which was thought to be caused by a static spark, but not through a radio signal. A Bell's representative said a radio signal would have set off all the devices, not just a few. The fireworks display was canceled.

[Last modified September 2, 2007, 00:50:04]