Fire Officials Warn Against Fireworks

04:02PM / Monday, June 14, 2021Print Story | Email Story

STOW, Mass. — Fire Officials Urge People to Leave the Fireworks to the Professionals.

"Public fireworks displays are back this year, and fire departments across the state are making sure they are safe for spectators and for shooters," said State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey. "Illegal fireworks are risky, especially around children who will imitate what they see adults do. Let's keep our children safe."

Children and teens under 15 account for more than one-third of the severe fireworks burn injuries requiring emergency room visits in Massachusetts.

4th of July No Holiday for Firefighters

"The Fourth of July holiday is a busy time for firefighters," Centerville-Osterville-Marston Mills Fire Chief Michael J. Winn, president of the Fire Chiefs' Association of Massachusetts, said. "We respond to all types of fires and medical emergencies. In fact, the week of July 4 is one of the busiest times of the year for fires. So please leave the fireworks to the professionals and enjoy the many supervised fireworks displays."

"Remember, fireworks are illegal to transport into Massachusetts, even if they were purchased legally elsewhere," Ostroskey said. "The State Police Bomb squad is coordinating enforcement efforts with local fire and police departments to help avoid a repeat of last year, where citizen complaints about the unsafe use of illegal fireworks increased sharply."

Fireworks Cause Many Dangerous Fires

There were many fires, amputations and burn injuries from illegal fireworks in Massachusetts last year. Dozens were displaced during the pandemic by fires started by fireworks. In the past decade (2011-2020), there have been 941 major fire and explosion incidents involving illegal fireworks reported to the Massachusetts Fire Incident Reporting System (MFIRS). The incidents caused 12 civilian injuries, 42 fire service injuries, and an estimated dollar loss of $2.1 million

On May 27, 2020, illegal fireworks ignited the exterior stairs of a 2-family home in New Bedford. Damages from this fire were estimated to be $3,000.
On June 14, 2020, the Worcester Fire Department responded to a fire in a 3-decker started by illegal fireworks. A firework set off in the street landed on the roof and ignited it. Eleven people were displaced. Smoke alarms failed to operate and damages were estimated at $145,739.
On June 16, 2020, fireworks ignited a fire on the first-floor porch of a 2-family Springfield home. Damages from the fire were estimated at $10,000.
On July 16, 2020, the Boston Fire Department responded to a car fire. Someone lit fireworks on top of a Mercedes Benz. Damages were estimated at $8,000.
On August 10, 2020, the Orange Fire Department and several surrounding communities responded to a brush fire on Tully Mountain in Orange. It took several days to put the fire out in the rugged terrain and hot and humid weather. Remnants of fireworks and a campfire were found at the seat of the fire.
On October 10, 2020, someone set off fireworks in the rear hallway of a 6-unit Boston apartment building. Twenty people were displaced and the fire caused $3,250 in damages.

Burns and Injuries Caused by Fireworks

In the past decade (2011-2020), 32 people were treated at Massachusetts emergency rooms for severe burns injuries from fireworks (burns covering 5 percent of more of the body) according to the Massachusetts Burn Injury Reporting System (M-BIRS). Fifty-four percent of the victims were people under age 25 who will spend the rest of their lives with these scars.

On July 18, 2020, a 13-year old boy visiting Randolph, MA suffered burns to 10 percent of his body surface area from illegal fireworks.
On July 4, 2019, a 29-year old Charlton man received burns to 9 percent of his body and puncture wounds to his back from a fireworks explosion. State Police confiscated a large cache of illegal fireworks from his home.
On July 5, 2019, a 16-year old male from Dartmouth received 1st- & 2nd-degree burns on the lower portions of his body from a fireworks explosion.
On July 9, 2019, a 4-year old Boston girl grabbed a burning sparkler that someone else was holding and suffered burns to her left hand.
On July 7, 2020, fireworks a young boy was holding went off causing severe injuries to his hand. This happened near Carson Beach in South Boston.
On July 20, 2020, a 43-year old Turners Falls man suffered a serious leg injury from illegal fireworks.

All Fireworks Are Illegal in Massachusetts

The possession and use of all fireworks by private citizens is illegal in Massachusetts. This includes Class C fireworks, which are sometimes falsely called "safe and sane" fireworks. Class C fireworks include sparklers, party poppers, snappers, firecrackers, spinners, cherry bombs and more. Sparklers burn at 1800ºF or higher. It is illegal to transport fireworks into Massachusetts, even if they were purchased legally elsewhere. Illegal fireworks must be confiscated on the spot by law enforcement officials.

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Dalton Board Signs Off on Land Sale Over Residents' Objections

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:50AM / Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Residents demanded the right to speak but the agenda did not include public comment. Amy Musante holds a sign saying the town now as '$20,000 less for a police station.'

DALTON, Mass. — The Select Board signed the sale on the last of what had been known as the Bardin property Monday even as a handful of residents demanded the right to speak against the action.

The quitclaim deed transfers the nine acres to Thomas and Esther Balardini, who purchased the two other parcels in Dalton. They were the third-highest bidders at $31,500. Despite this, the board awarded them the land in an effort to keep the property intact.

"It's going to be an ongoing battle but one I think that has to be fought [because of] the disregard for the taxpayers," said Dicken Crane, the high bidder at $51,510.

"If it was personal I would let it go, but this affects everyone and backing down is not in my nature."

Crane had appealed to the board to accept his bid during two previous meetings. He and others opposed to accepting the lower bid say it cost the town $20,000. After the meeting, Crane said he will be filing a lawsuit and has a citizen's petition for the next town meeting with over 100 signatures.

Three members of the board — Chair Robert Bishop Jr., John Boyle, and Marc Strout — attended the 10-minute meeting. Members Anthony Pagliarulo and Daniel Esko previously expressed their disapproval of the sale to the Balardinis.

Pagliarulo voted against the sale but did sign the purchase-and-sale agreement earlier this month. His reasoning was the explanation by the town attorney during an executive session that, unlike procurement, where the board is required to accept the lowest bid for services, it does have some discretion when it comes to accepting bids in this instance.

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