A Fourth of July celebration quickly took a turn for the worse for one Hermitage family Saturday. According to a police report issued Sunday morning, 45-year-old Vincent Fustos, who lives at 4835 Anne Lane, severely injured himself and damaged the house after an explosion occurred and ignited a fire.
The police report cites family members who say before the explosion happened, Fustos was in the basement making a firework with gun powder. The accident took place just before 10:30 Saturday night, and both the Hermitage and Clark Fire Departments were at the scene for at least two hours. The Hermitage Police Department was not available for comment on Sunday.
Injuries dealing with illegal fireworks is not uncommon, especially around the Fourth of July holiday, and the U.S. government has made the subject of fireworks safety a prominent issue leading up to America's Independence Day. "While fireworks, when used legally and appropriately can add to the celebration, it is all too often the case that illegal fireworks can maim bodies, can shatter lives often much too young and can even kill, because, these are dangerous, unstable explosives and they can have a devastating effect," said Tony West, from the U.S. Department of Justice.
As for Fustos, he was life flighted to Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh, where he is currently listed in critical condition. More details are expected to be released Monday.
