Man Charged After Illegal Fireworks Cause East Hampton Boat Fire: Police

EAST HAMPTON, CT — A local man has been arrested for an illegal fireworks display which caused a boat fire at Lake Pocotopaug, police said.

Two people on the boat at the time had to jump overboard to escape the blaze, according to police.

Keron Flannery, 73, of East Hampton, turned himself in on an active warrant for the July 5 incident, police said Tuesday.

Flannery was charged with illegal possession of exploding fireworks, second-degree reckless endangerment, and creating a public disturbance.

Police responded to the lake around 9:52 p.m. and saw a pontoon boat about 50 yards offshore, emitting heavy smoke and actively burning, the arrest warrant shows.

A crowd of about 40 to 50 people had gathered nearby for a party and private fireworks display. The fireworks were being launched from the pontoon boat, according to police.

Police said they identified Flannery as the boat’s owner. According to the warrant, Flannery told police he had converted the boat into a fireworks launching platform. He also told police he had purchased about $1,000 worth of fireworks, according to the warrant.

Due to a back injury, Flannery remained on shore and assigned the task of launching the fireworks to two individuals, the warrant shows.

During the display, a firework misfired and ignited other fireworks, police said. After the boat caught fire, the two people had to jump overboard to avoid injury, according to the warrant. Witnesses told police the pair was rescued by nearby boaters.

Emergency medical personnel treated one of the two people for a minor burn to his forearm. Both individuals who were on the boat were evaluated on scene and refused further medical treatment, the warrant shows.

A bomb squad was called in to safely handle unexploded fireworks, police said.

Flannery was released after posting a $10,000 court-set bond. He is scheduled to appear in Superior Court in Middletown on Sept. 2.