Simi Valley Fireworks: 28 Injured in Accidental Detonation
At least 28 people suffered minor to severe injuries Thursday night when fireworks exploded and shot into the crowd during a Fourth of July celebration in Simi Valley, authorities said.
“There was a big boom. Everybody started running down the street. People were screaming,” said Justice Allen, 17, of Simi Valley. “Everybody was just terrified. People hid in bushes.”
Allen said she had just arrived at the park after getting off work when fireworks started flying over the fences and sparks passed by her and her friend.
Another witness, Annisa Wynn, told KTLA-TV Channel 5 that the explosion occurred about two minutes into the show. Fireworks suddenly began shooting sideways along the ground into the crowd instead of up in the air, she said.
“The fireworks were so close, you could see them on the ground,” Wynn said. “It never happens this way. People were screaming.”
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