Pyrotecnico: Unexploded Fireworks Were 'Isolated Event'

In a letter Pyrotecnico sent to , CEO Stephen Vitale explains that the unexploded shells left behind by the Pennsylvania-based fireworks company following a number of July 4th fireworks shows in Massachusetts, including the , was an "isolated event traceable to a defective product – one which we have separated from our inventory and will never use again."

"We also conducted an internal investigation containing findings that will likely lead us to enhance our safety training procedures moving forward," the letter continued (the full letter is printed below).

Pyrotecnico staged displays in 13 Massachusetts cities and towns this July 4th season, leaving behind undetonated fireworks in five of these communities - Stoughton, Waltham, Ware, Wilmington and Worcester.

Pyrotecnico also provided fireworks for shows in Newton, Milford, Hingham, Winchester, Westford, Ayer, Marion and neighboring Sharon.

Even though records indicate Pyrotechnico swept the West School fields twice following Stoughton's annual fireworks display (once right after the July 3 show and then again on the morning of July 4), an undetonated firework was found on the Anthony Novello baseball field on and another one was found on the field .

The discovery of the undetonated firework on the 10th prompted a through search of the field on the 11th, where employees from the Fire Department, School Department and Recreation Department spent hours sweeping the fields, making sure they were safe for use.

As a result, the after the town "incurred unexpected costs due to the hazardous conditions left behind from [Pyrotecnico's] recent fireworks display on July 3, 2012," Stoughton Fire Chief Mark Dolloff wrote in the cover letter for the invoice.

The state Fire Marshal's Office also of the fireworks company.

The full letter from Pyrotecnico CEO Stephen Vitale is printed below:

To the Editor:

Our family-owned company, Pyrotecnico, has been a fireworks industry leader representing a standard of excellence for over 100 years – and safety has always been of utmost importance to us.

It is our commitment to safety that led us to act immediately when we learned that unexploded fireworks shells were retrieved in some of the Massachusetts communities in which we recently performed shows. We acted quickly to conduct thorough examinations not only of the areas in which these shells were discovered, but in every single Massachusetts location in which we had recently performed shows. With local authorities, we have determined that all of these areas are clear.

While we believe the unexploded shells were an isolated event traceable to a defective product – one which we have separated from our inventory and will never use again – we also conducted an internal investigation containing findings that will likely lead us to enhance our safety training procedures moving forward.  

We are committed to ensuring that our shows uphold the highest level of safety for the families who enjoy them.  We look forward to continuing to provide safe, reliable and entertaining fireworks displays throughout Massachusetts communities for years to come. 

Sincerely,
Stephen Vitale
Pyrotecnico