Firework Explosion Causes Scare at Stoughton High Baseball Field

A landscaper cutting the outfield grass of the endured a scare Tuesday, July 10 around 10 a.m. when his lawnmower went over an unexploded firework in left center field, causing the firework to explode, fire officials said.

There were no injuries, however, although the explosion could be heard from , according to Nicholas Viveiros, a foreman for Green Acres Scenic View Landscaping, who was on scene when the incident took place.

The Stoughton Fire and Police Departments as well as the State Fire Marshal's Office responded to the scene.

It is unclear how long this unexploded firework was on the Anthony Novello baseball field, and if it was a homemade firework or a an official one.

The incident remains under investigation, according to fire officials.

Viveiros said one of his employees was cutting the grass and saw a square-shaped white object. He tried stopping the lawnmower, but it was too late and the firework then exploded under the lawnmower. The lawnmower was lifted off the grass by the impact of the explosion.

"I just saw him trying to get off the thing, running with his hands over his ears," Viveiros said.

"The gentleman appears to be OK and that's the important thing," said Stoughton Recreation Department Head John Denison, who was also on scene.

The Novello field, situated across from the high school football field, is the home to the Stoughton High baseball team during the school year and to the Stoughton American Legion baseball team in the summer. It is also the general area where the fireworks are set off during the in Stoughton.

While Stoughton Fire Chief Mark Dolloff is not ruling out the possibility that this was a leftover firework from July 3, he said he "found it hard to believe" this was the case since the field is swept the day after the fireworks show to make sure there aren't any unexploded fireworks left behind.

SFD Captain Jim Bertram and SFD Fire Investigator Greg Bourget both said the fireworks used for the July 3rd display are always attended to as soon as they arrive in town.

The Legion baseball team has since played on the field following the town's fireworks show last Tuesday.

SFD Captain Don Jasmin said if the firework was stepped on or if a ball hit the firework, there could have been injuries.