GRIFFITH, Ind. (WLS) — A “fireworks accident” left seven people injured and several houses and vehicles damaged in Northwest Indiana on Saturday night, police said.
Griffith police said officers were dispatched to the 900-block of North Arbogast Street at about 9:30 p.m.
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Police said it appears that a private fireworks show at home there had an accidental malfunction, injuring seven people and damaging four houses and 10 vehicles.
Surveillance video from a neighbor captured the bright light from the explosion.
Neighbors say debris ended up inside their residences, and those who were home at the time say there were dozens of people enjoying the firework show outside when things took a turn.
“I heard a big explosion, and I come out and I see a bunch of people running and the whole neighborhood nothing but smoke,” Griffith resident Cliff Edwards said. “It was surreal. You walk and out, you see nothing but smoke and people running everywhere. It was almost like you can’t believe it was happening on your block.”
Authorities did not immediately release information about the ages and conditions of those injured.
Police are investigating the incident and asked anyone with information to contact them at 219-924-7503. Anonymous tips can be left by calling 219-922-3085.
Here, in this Griffith home surveillance video, we see a flash… followed by another flash and then a boom.
NAT POP: Explosion
(VO: Surveillance video – RING CAMERA; no courtesy)
Right after that loud explosion — this video from another neighbor capturing a barrage of fireworks going off followed by screams.
QUICK NAT POP: Screaming
((SOT: Cliff Edwards/Heard the explosion)) – Okay to call it explosion?
:56 It really was surreal, I mean you walk out and see nothing but smoke and maybe 50-80 people just running everywhere. It was almost like you couldn’t believe it’s happening on your block.” (:08)
Cliff Edwards says he felt blast from what Griffith Police are calling a firework malfunction, inside his home… some of the debris flying into his niece’s bedroom.
((SOT: Cliff Edwards/Heard the explosion))
2:50 All the shelves fell, all the pictures fell, books were everywhere and we ran outside thinking-we thought maybe a car exploded (:05)
Griffith Police say they were called to the 900-block of Arbogast Saturday night where they found several people injured following a “firework accident” from a private firework show on the street.
Troy and Amy Matthis came home to a scene full of emergency responders.
Far different from the fun they initially saw before things took a dangerous turn.
((SOT: Troy Matthis/Home was damaged))
3:47 When we showed up it was chaos there were police, fire, EMS every where (:04)
((SOT: Amy Matthis/Home was damaged))
9:55 “I was panicking for the children that I saw before my husband and my daughter and I went to the Central Park firework show, there were so many kids out there.” (:09)
The Matthis family saying debris from the blast, damaging the outside and inside of their home.
((SOT: Troy Matthis/Home was damaged))
4:08 There were three impacts that went through the walls. It ricocheted off a wall, hit the TV, different devices and I was just thinking, ‘I’m glad no one was home.’ (:08)
Police say, in total, four homes and ten vehicles sustained damage.
Troy, a Griffith firefighter, hopes what happened on his block reminds others to be vigilant and safe this Fourth of July holiday.
((SOT: Troy Matthis/Home was damaged))
6:18 “Alcohol and fireworks do not mix. Somebody needs to be responsible and be an adult in this situation. Make sure you’re doing things with care. You’re being safe because something could affect you but it could it could also affect other people.” (:13)
Outro:
Police say there were seven people injured – but have not shared their conditions.
They say this incident is under investigation.
In Griffith CC ABC 7 EWN.