OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Many people in Nebraska celebrated the July Fourth holiday much as Americans did across the country: with a barrage of fireworks. But this year's explosive festivities came with a number of headaches.
Health officials issued a hazardous air quality warning for people in much of eastern Nebraska on Saturday night into Sunday morning after lingering smoke from fireworks become trapped near the ground by stagnant air flow pattern.
In Lincoln, a 34-year-old Exeter man was seriously injured and hospitalized after a firework exploded in his hands Friday night at Branched Oak State Recreation area, according to a release from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
Investigators said the man was trying to discharge a mortar-style firework while holding it near his chest and sustained injuries to his chest, arms and hands when it exploded. Officials said he was last reported in serious but stable condition.
In Omaha, police received nearly 1,900 fireworks complaint calls in the days before and after the Fourth of July, when fireworks are legal to sell and use. That was a more than 30% increase from fireworks complaints received last year, police said. Of those calls, police wrote 14 citations for violation of the fireworks ordinance.
Those who have had their fill of the celebratory explosives can take any leftover fireworks next weekend to two collection sites in Omaha. The Omaha police and fire departments will be holding a Firework and Gun Amnesty Day on Saturday at Seymour Smith Park and the Omaha Fire Station on North 103rd Street. The event allows people to drop off unused, unwanted or illegal fireworks and gun, with no questions asked.