What happened with the fireworks explosion in California?
On the afternoon of July 1, 2025, a fire broke out at a fireworks facility in Esparto, California, United States. The fire resulted in several explosions that culminated into one large eruption, killing seven men and injuring two more. Fireworks injuries caused 14,700 people in the U. S. U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).Explosions from large or homemade fireworks often cause blast-related trauma, including ruptured eardrums, internal injuries, and traumatic amputations. The CPSC linked multiple fireworks-related deaths and amputations in 2023 to powerful explosives, often illegal devices like M-80s or quarter sticks.In 2024, fireworks-related injuries surged to an estimated 14,700, up from 9,700 in 2023 – marking a 52% increase, the highest single-year rise since 2020 and the second largest in the past 25 years. During that same period, firework-related deaths rose by 38%, from 8 to 11.Fireworks are illegal in many parts of California — and there’s a reason. Each year, fireworks cause serious injuries, destroy homes, and lead to millions in damages. Since 2024, they’ve sparked over 1,230 fires and caused more than $35 million in property damage across California.
What is a fireworks explosion called?
Deflagrate – To burn or vaporize suddenly, usually accompanied by a considerable amount of heat and large volumes of gas. When the speed of the burn or the escaping gas exceeds the speed of sound, the result is a loud boom. Deflagration is the scientific term for how fireworks explode. It’s very unlikely they’re going to actually damage anything. From an engineering standpoint fireworks are dangerous because the initial explosion to spread the fire part of the fireworks is dangerous when confined (like in your hand or inside something it shouldn’t be).The Most Common Firework Injuries Hand and Finger Injuries: Burns to the hands and fingers are the most common injuries caused by fireworks, but deep cuts, broken bones, and amputations of these extremities can also occur.Explosions from large or homemade fireworks often cause blast-related trauma, including ruptured eardrums, internal injuries, and traumatic amputations. The CPSC linked multiple fireworks-related deaths and amputations in 2023 to powerful explosives, often illegal devices like M-80s or quarter sticks.Fireworks can cause minor burns and more serious trauma, including eye injuries and hearing damage. If you or your family plan to use fireworks, avoiding certain mistakes and taking steps to keep everyone safe is key to keeping your celebration injury-free.The explosion of fireworks is an exothermic redox reaction. The fuel oxidizes (burns) quickly, causing a great buildup in pressure that eventually leads to solids and gases bursting across the sky in colorful patterns.
What is the real story of fireworks?
Many historians believe that fireworks originally were developed in the second century B. C. Liuyang, China. It is believed that the first natural firecrackers were bamboo stalks that when thrown in a fire, would explode with a bang because of the overheating of the hollow air pockets in the bamboo. In 2024, there were an estimated 14,700 emergency room-treated injuries and 11 reported deaths from fireworks incidents. That’s a 52% jump in injuries and a 38% increase in deaths from 2023.Fireworks were originally invented in China. China remains the largest manufacturer and exporter of fireworks in the world.Fireworks can cause minor burns and more serious trauma, including eye injuries and hearing damage. If you or your family plan to use fireworks, avoiding certain mistakes and taking steps to keep everyone safe is key to keeping your celebration injury-free.Used irresponsibly, fireworks can cause damage to property and do significant harm to people and animals. Not only is there a danger from fireworks exploding, they can also pose a serious fire risk as well.
What causes fireworks to explode?
The bottom of the shell contains a lift charge that launches the shell out of the mortar. Fuse: This fuse carries heat to activate the black powder. Lift charge: Located in the bottom of the shell, this charge is made from black powder. When ignited, it launches the shell out of the mortar and into the sky. The heat travels along the fuse until it reaches the bottom of the main part of the firework, sometimes called the shell. This ignites the lift charge, which is made from black powder—a type of gunpowder—located at the bottom of the shell. When ignited, the black powder reacts to create hot gases and lots of energy.Lift charge When black powder burns in the open air, the heat and gas it generates quickly dissipate. But if the black powder is confined, say in a pouch at the bottom of a firework cylinder, the trapped heat and gas will push vigorously at the inside of the launch tube until an explosion results.Black powder: Invented in China over 1000 years ago, this is a type of gunpowder made from 75% potassium nitrate (saltpeter), 15% charcoal and 10% sulfur. Timed fuse: This fuse activates the burst charge within the firework. Burst charge: Located at the centre of the shell, this ignites the stars within the firework.Black powder lends itself to fireworks because it’s a low explosive, meaning its detonation velocity is less than about 100 yards per second. High explosives like dynamite have a velocity of detonation greater than 1,000 yards per second.