A fireworks explosion at the local high school in Comanche, Texas, a town with approximately 4,300 people about 100 miles southwest of Fort Worth, has left one dead and three seriously injured.
Lt. Marcus Nettleton, a volunteer firefighter and the assigned public information officer for the incident, told the Los Angeles Times that the incident occurred at approximately 9:00 am on Thursday, July 3 and involved a trailer housing the fireworks for the July 4 show.
This show would have made the 24th annual Fourth of July celebration at Comanche High School. Police are still not sure what exactly happened. Nettleton explained that the men who were setting up the display, the local members of the Kiwanis Club, were very experienced and knew what they were doing. “These were very experienced men in what they were doing,” Nettleton said of the workers.. “They knew what they were doing.”
Authorities confirmed that Russell Reynolds, the local chiropractor and church deacon, was killed at the scene of the incident, and three others were taken to the local hospital with serious injuries.
Christine Perkins, executive director of the Comanche Chamber of Commerce, explained that the show, which generally draws around 15,000 people, has been cancelled. “We’re still in shock,” Perkins said. “And definitely in a community our size, there will be some kind of ceremony to recognize the victims.”
The Texas fire marshal’s office and U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are continuing to investigate the tragic accident.
Image via Wikimedia Commons