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Worker Dead In Explosion During Fireworks Display

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Jul 5, 2009 11:50 pm US/Eastern

Worker Dead In Explosion During Fireworks Display

QUAKERTOWN (KDKA) ― An explosion in eastern Pennsylvania on the Fourth of July has left a fireworks company employee dead.

Officials say he was a 19-year-old, summer employee with the Zambelli fireworks company, which is based in New Castle, Lawrence County.

Authorities have not released the man's identity while his family is notified.

Authorities say he was killed while working on a Fourth of July celebration at Memorial Park in Quakertown, which is located about 30 miles north of Philadelphia.

Quakertown police and the fire marshal are still investigating the incident. They say they are not sure if the man was actually handling fireworks or walking by when the accident happened.

The incident occurred around 9:45 p.m. at the beginning of the show's grand finale.

"This is a fairly typical Fourth of July show. It was in Quakertown, Pennsylvania. It's shot out of a community park there. It's one we've done for a number of years," said Doug Taylor, the president and CEO of Zambelli Fireworks. "Our technicians were very experienced, our head techs, so we tried to do everything right there. I think ultimately what we'll do is wait for some information out of the fire marshal."

Officials say they did perform first aid at the scene, and then rushed the man to St. Luke's Hospital in Quakertown where he was pronounced dead.

Taylor says this is not the first fatal accident in the history of the company; however, it is the first in many years.

He says they plan to meet this week with all employees to provide counseling, and also go over safety procedures.

Stay with KDKA for the latest details.

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