UPDATED: Ocean City Reopens Downtown Beach & Boardwalk Tram Service; Remaining Fireworks Destroyed
UPDATED – 7/6/21 – 5pm – Yesterday, July 6, 2021, Ocean City Bomb Squad personnel, assisted by the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office-Bomb Squad and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) safely destroyed the remaining fireworks on the beach after the unintended fireworks discharge on Sunday. Destruction of the remaining fireworks occurred yesterday at approximately 6:20 p.m. on the beach at Dorchester Street and the beach area was reopened early this morning.
Bomb technicians spent more than 8 hours methodically assessing, sorting, and preparing the fireworks for disposal. In addition, the Town of Ocean City’s Public Works Department assisted in the quick clean-up and restoration of the beach.
“As of today, all areas of the beach and Boardwalk have been reopened, including the return of service for the Boardwalk Tram,” said Ocean City Fire Chief Richie Bowers. “I want to thank the Ocean City community, our businesses, residents, and visitors for their patients and understanding during this unexpected occurrence. Unsafe fireworks are not only dangerous but in some cases can be deadly. Our team of professionals from the Ocean City Bomb Squad who were assisted by various other city departments who did a phenomenal job ensuring that no citizens, visitors, or first responders were injured.” Along with OCFD career and volunteer personnel and public works crews, town wide assistance was provided by Ocean City Beach Patrol, the Engineering Department, Emergency Service and Ocean City Police.
The Ocean City Fire Marshal’s Office (FMO) investigation has determined that one of the fireworks being loaded was prematurely and unintentionally discharged, causing a chain reaction of fireworks to be discharged. According to the FMO, the exact reason for the unintended discharge has not been identified, but a damaged and/or faulty firework product could not be ruled out. At this time, there is no indication of any criminal or intentional intent at this point in the investigation.
“Fireworks can be a lot of fun, but we saw firsthand why it’s important to practice safety when watching or using fireworks,” finished Chief Bowers. “Although this was not the fireworks show we had all anticipated, we are fortunate that the safety perimeters and the swift actions of our town personnel prevented any serious injuries from occurring.”
======================================================================
(UPDATE Monday AM, from OCFD)
At approximately 8:00 am today, Ocean City Bomb Squad personnel, assisted by the ATF, Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office-Bomb Squad, and the fireworks vendor, will begin evaluating fireworks damaged during yesterday’s accident to determine a course of action for safe removal and destruction. Beach and boardwalk patrons in the area Dorchester Street and the beach are asked to remain at a safe distance outside the established safety perimeter. This perimeter may have to be adjusted throughout the day based on the necessary procedures to relocate or safely dispose of them. Planned and controlled demolition of pyrotechnics may be conducted, resulting in small controlled detonations sounds and firework effects throughout the day. Updates will be provided late in the afternoon regarding the status of the operation.
====================================================================
UPDATED 12:15pm Ocean City Fire Marshals are continuing safety inspections at both fireworks locations after the unintended discharge of fireworks on the beach this morning. Due to an abundance of caution, this evening’s Downtown Fireworks have been canceled. Updates for the Uptown Show at Northside Park will be provided when they become available.
====================================================================
It was not practice for tonight’s fireworks display in downtown Ocean City. Just after 10:15 Sunday morning downtown Ocean City was rocked when fireworks started going off on the beach near Dorchester Street. Rumors began flying on Facebook, however the Ocean City Fire Department put out a statement regarding the incident.
From the Ocean City Fire Department – On Sunday, July 4, 2021, the Ocean City Fire Department was alerted for a vehicle fire at Dorchester Street and the beach. Firefighters arrived to find that no vehicle was on fire; however, there was an unintentional discharge of fireworks that were being set up on the beach for the Town’s fireworks show. During the unintentional discharge, an employee of the fireworks company received minor injuries and refused transport to the hospital by Ocean City Paramedics. No beach or boardwalk patrons were injured.”Our Fire Marshals are on the scene and will investigate the cause of the unintentional discharge,” said Ocean City Fire Chief Richie Bowers. “Prior to the fireworks being off loaded 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,” he concluded.
The Ocean City Fire Department will provide updates as they become available.
