PORTLAND, Maine — With thunderstorms forcing the postponement of Portland’s Fourth of July fireworks display, police records show many in the city took the holiday tradition into their own hands, despite the fact that public use of fireworks remains illegal in Maine’s largest city.
Although fireworks became legal statewide on Jan. 1, Portland was among the municipalities to implement local bans on the celebratory explosives.
Nonetheless, the Portland Police Department responded to 88 fireworks calls on Wednesday. Of those, 52 came after 8:45 p.m., which was approximately when the city announced the fireworks would be postponed until Thursday night because of the bad weather.
A call placed to the Portland Police Department was not returned immediately.
Maine Fire Marshal Joe Thomas said Thursday he’s pleased with the small number of fireworks-related incidents statewide, but said he expects people will be setting them off through the rest of the week.
Thomas says he’s only aware of one major incident on the Fourth of July — a Standish man modified some fireworks, which went off in his face because of a short fuse.
Earlier in the week, a Sabattus man was injured when he used a torch to dry out a wet mortar-style rocket, and kids playing with sparklers caused an apartment building fire in Portland.
Thomas says that all three incidents involved people using fireworks in ways that they were not intended to be used.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
I am so glad the Cops had something to do for a change instead of hang out at the dough nut shop. Bet the Cops confiscated the fire works and shot them off themselves later. I have seen that before. So much for legalized fireworks in Maine. What a farce !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Note that Portland does NOT allow fireworks. It is ILLEGAL in Portland. The cities have the right to prohibit fireworks, even though the State approves them. The state law allows each town or city to decide for themselves.
The people behind legalizing fireworks knew that the “silent” majority would quickly grow tired of the injuries and noise. By giving every town and city the opportunity to ban fireworks they lessened the chance of reversing the law. People are mad at their city council, not state government right now.When this is over the stores may remain with very few legal cities and towns where they can be fired off. There are many places in this country where fireworks are legal to buy, but can’t be used there.
I’ll do it before you do. Anyone could get hurt by a car accident, a plane crash, drug use, smoking,walking across the street, hit by a bolt of lightning, a meteor or astroid, earthquake, tsunami, hunting accident, run over ny an ex girlfreind, waterskiing, wake boarding, scuba diving, surfing, parachuting, snow skiing or even an unannounced avalanche. The list goes on and on.So, having hundreds of ways to get messed up do we need one more?
If you are that paranoid go seek some help. Bet you have a step ladder, the most dangerous accident prone item in the home.
As usual, we all need a better handle on risk preception. The risks on all hazards mentioned vary widely, over several orders of magnitude. person use of firewroks is a high risk endeavor and not only to the user but to bystanders and neighbors.
They are legal in Maine but “No fireworks for YOU!!!”…
Fine with me.
Seems those people in Portland were planning to break the ordinance one way or the other. I doubt anyone of them rushed out to obtain fireworks after the official show was cancelled.
cant stop laughing at westshores
Neither can my wife!
there has been 3000 police log calls for illegal fireworks throughout the state since jan 1