Explosion At High School After Groundskeeper Drives Over Firework With Lawnmower

PETALUMA, CA — An illegal firework caused a powerful explosion at a high school in Petaluma, according to police.

Officers responded around 10 a.m. Friday to Casa Grande High School in the 300 block of Casa Grande Road, police said Thursday, where a groundskeeper had accidentally run over a large illegal firework with a riding lawnmower, triggering the blast.

“Fortunately, the groundskeeper was not seriously injured — an outcome that could have been much worse especially given that he was on a gas-powered lawnmower,” the Petaluma Police Department said in Thursday's social media post, which included a video of the incident.

The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad responded to assist, according to police, who said the origin of the firework remains under investigation.

The explosion was the second firework-related incident to cause injury or damage in just one week in Petaluma, police said. The department posted on social media June 18 that a juvenile suffered injuries to his hand, arm and chest after a firework he was holding exploded.

Fireworks are illegal in Petaluma, with fines starting at $1,000, according to police.

To surrender fireworks safely with no questions asked, call 707-778-4390.