MASHPEE – Three people were injured, one seriously after a fireworks explosion in a rental truck in New Seabury about 4:30 PM. Multiple first responders rushed to the scene on Fairway Lane, reportedly at the New Seabury Country Club. A large plume of smoke could be seen for miles rising from the scene. A MedFlight helicopter was responding to Mashpee Police/Fire Headquarters to airlift the most seriously injured victim. Officials say no structures were on fire but firefighters were working to keep unexploded fireworks from detonating. The State Fire Marshal’s office was called to the scene to investigate.
From Mashpee Fire: “On July 2nd, 2025 at approximately 4:37 PM, multiple explosions occurred during the setup for the annual Fourth of July fireworks display at the New Seabury Country Club.
Emergency personnel were immediately dispatched to the scene. A total of eight individuals were evaluated by medical teams. One patient suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to Rhode Island Hospital via Boston MedFlight. A second patient was transported to Falmouth Hospital with minor injuries. The remaining individuals were evaluated on site and refused transport to the hospital.
Multiple state and local agencies responded to the incident:
Mashpee Fire & Rescue Department
Mashpee Police Department
Cotuit Fire Department
State Fire Marshal’s office – Fire Safety Division
Massachusetts Department of Fire Services – Fire Investigation Unit
Massachusetts State Police
Massachusetts State Police – Bomb Squad
Federal Bureau of Investigation – Bomb Squad
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
At this time, authorities remain on site and the incident is currently under active investigation.
Further updates will be provided as they become available.”
Mass Department of Fire Services/CWN
From Mass Department of Fire Services (Fire Marshal): “Last night’s scheduled fireworks display in Mashpee was led by a licensed, professional shooter. Pyrotechnico. The setup had been inspected by local and state officials who determined that it met all the necessary safety requirements under the Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code.
Interviews, scene examination, and post-blast assessment were conducted by Mashpee Fire, Mashpee Police, State Police bomb techs and fire investigators assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office, and the Department of Fire Services’ Code Compliance & Enforcement Unit. Preliminarily, the most likely cause is an accidental ignition during the wiring process, but the exact nature of that ignition remains under investigation.
Fireworks are inherently dangerous, even under controlled conditions and expert use. As dramatic as the ignition was, the Mashpee Fire Department’s pre-planning, site determination, permitting requirements, on-scene presence, and immediate action prevented what could have been a catastrophic event with significant property damage, more serious injuries, or much worse. This is why it’s so important to leave these devices to people trained to handle them.
The Massachusetts State Police Fire & Explosion Investigation Unit assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office and DFS code compliance officers provided investigative assistance and post-blast mitigation for the Mashpee Fire Department and Mashpee Police Department at the scene of yesterday’s fireworks explosion. Two people and one dog were transported for medical care, and we are deeply relieved that they are all recovering thanks to Mashpee firefighters’ immediate on-scene response. The display was properly permitted, licensed, and inspected, and all potential factors identified so far are accidental in nature.”
CWN will bring you further details as we get them.
Photo and video by David Curran/Satellite News Service/CWN
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History: A similar fireworks accident happened in Wellfleet on July 10th, 2004, when Cape Wide News reported: Dramatic scenes as the Wellfleet fireworks display exploded after catching fire around noon today. Cape Wide News cameras were first on scene catching these dramatic photos and stunning video. Miraculously no one was injured. Firefighters from several towns were called in to help douse the blaze as a tanker shuttle had to be established to get water to the remote Indian Neck Heights area where the display was being set up. The show had been scrubbed last Saturday because of fog and after today’s incident has been postponed until Saturday August 28th at dusk. Massachusetts State Fire Marshal Stephen Coan was on the scene late Saturday afternoon trying to determine what sparked the inferno that could be scene from across the Cape. The company Atlas PyroVision Productions of New Hampshire has done the Wellfleet show for a number of years without incident. They did have another close call on July 4th 1997 in Falmouth when their fireworks barge blew up just as a display was starting. 10 employees jumped ship, one suffered serious burns to the leg the others only minor injuries. A company spokesman is saying this most recent incident was caused by a malfunction of an electronic firing mechanism. Fire Marshal Coan has ruled the incident an accident saying there was no indication of intentional or malicious acts.
Photo by Tim Caldwell/CWN file
