Two firefighters were critically injured by an explosion that left one person dead at a brush fire that spread to a container full of fireworks.
Firefighters were called to the La Grange farm about 3:15 p.m. for an out of control brush fire that was burning toward a structure, Lenoir County PIO Murry Stroud told WNCT.com. The building that was being threatened by fire was filled with commercial-grade fireworks, crews were told.
Just after firefighters arrived, the fireworks ignited causing a major explosion.
A farm worker was killed in the blast and three La Grange firefighters were injured, Stroud said. Some of the responding apparatus were also damaged in the explosion.
One firefighter was flown to EastCare hospital for serious injuries The other two firefighters were taken to ECU Health Trauma Center and Stroud said the three firefighters were stable.
Firefighters from several Lenoir and Wayne county fire departments responded to assist the injured firefighters and contain the fire.
