Fireworks linked to 13 injuries this month

That demonstration, according to Coan, was reminiscent of what happened July 3, when a 21-year-old Saugus man received severe injuries to his face. He looked directly into a firework to see why it stopped firing, and it blew up in his face, Coan said.

Saugus Fire Chief James Blanchard declined to say whether alcohol was a factor in the incident involving the 21-year-old, but he did say: “Most of these incidents are alcohol-involved. When you review it, it comes down to careless error, of a person who may be otherwise a good thinker, but under those circumstances makes mistakes.’’

Fire officials said the 13 injuries this month included a 9-year-old Holbrook girl who received burns to 8 percent of her body after an exploding firecracker ignited her clothing July 3; three people injured by fireworks in West Bridgewater July 4; and a teenage girl injured at an illegal fireworks show in Granby July 9. A Connecticut boy was hurt playing with fireworks in Holland July 3, suffering burns over at least 5 percent of his body.

Jennifer Mieth, a Fire Services spokeswoman, said the house fire in Spencer July 3 began after ash from a sparkler fell and ignited nearby trash. She said the fire cut off a rear exit and spread to a first-floor bathroom, but was quickly put out by firefighters. Several children and a tenant were in the house, but there were no injuries.

Although Massachusetts is one of four states in the country that prohibit the use of fireworks, they can be obtained from nearby states that allow them, such as New Hampshire.