SNOHOMISH COUNTY – This year’s Fourth of July holiday saw fewer fireworks incidents and fires overall, however, there were still some notable events.
In the Monroe area, a
middle-aged man ended up losing his entire hand on July 4 in a catastrophic “firework” incident.
The man was hurt while using a homemade cannon, Snohomish Regional Fire and Rescue spokesman Peter Mongillo said.
The man’s friend delivered him to the fire station on Fales Road with significant injuries to his hand. The man was given life-saving aid, a tourniquet and medications before being transported to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. Snohomish Regional Fire and Rescue said the individual lost their entire hand as a result of this incident.
Mongillo said the homemade cannon was set off trying to make a “loud report.” The goal of a loud report is to try to create the loudest sound possible. It is not known what went wrong specifically, Mongillo said.
Other incidents in area
Snohomish Regional Fire and Rescue also fought a large vegetation fire that destroyed a home in the 1700 block of 72nd Ave SE in Lake Stevens the morning of July 5. The fire displaced two adults and three children. A preliminary investigation noted the fire likely began from smoldering bark from the night before that spread to a nearby bush.
Snohomish Fire District 4 reported brush fires in
Snohomish.
A fire destroyed two homes in Lake Stickney in Everett in the afternoon July 5. South County Fire reported everyone in both homes survived the incident, though one cat died and other pets remain missing.
On July 4, a fire engulfed the carport of an apartment building complex in the 4500 block of 164th St SW in Lynnwood. South County Fire noted four vehicles were destroyed, with eight others sustaining significant damage. No further damage or injuries were reported.
South County Fire encourages all residents to exercise caution with any heat source as dry conditions persist.
