Fireworks mishap delays celebration in Montpelier

When a three-inch mortar failed to launch into the air and exploded, a fire broke out during the town’s annual Fourth of July celebration.

The misfire occurred about 15 minutes into the show. Sparks spread into the staging area, ignited more rounds of fireworks and caused a fire in the surrounding weeds.

The Montpelier Fire Department had one unit already on-scene and another was called out. Bear Lake County also sent two fire units. An ambulance was also sent by Bear Lake County to do health-risk assessments.

The only injury related to the explosion was a scrape when one of the pyrotechnicians fell.

Steve Higgins, Montpelier’s fire chief, said discussion is in the future for the fire department and the Montpelier Lion’s Club– the organization that sponsors the show.

“We’ll step up and evaluate what happened here and going forward we’ll come up with a better plan as far as safety for those in the immediate display area,” Higgins said.

After determining no one was seriously hurt and a thorough inspection of the area, the show continued without other problems.

This is the first time Montpelier’s fireworks show had a mishap, according to Higgins.