Man killed while handling fireworks on Chicago's Northwest Side
CHICAGO (CBS) — A man was killed while handling a firework Thursday night on Chicago's Northwest Side.
It happened in an alley around 10 p.m. in the 3000 block of North Kostner Avenue.
Police say a 34-year-old man, later identified as Earl Lory by the Medical Examiner's Office, suffered trauma to the body while handling the firework. He died at the scene.
Lory's family described him as a wonderful father of two young kids, and his wife is five months pregnant. The family said setting off fireworks has been a family tradition for them for years.
One neighbor said the fireworks were constant in the Hermosa neighborhood Thursday night from 7 p.m. until the early morning hours.
"It sounded like a war zone to be honest," said Lissette Chavez.
Chavez said she was told by a neighbor to inspect her deck because he found human remains from someone who was using fireworks.
Neighbors said the tragedy was a wake-up call.
"There's a reason why there is a restriction because they're highly dangerous," Chavez said.
Area Five Detectives are investigating.
Chicago Fire Department officials said there were at least 13 fires citywide overnight that were caused by fireworks. Several homes were damaged by serious flames in West Englewood.
In the suburbs, the Lake County Sheriff's Office said a Deerfield fire was one of two major fires they responded to early Friday morning. Explosive fireworks were being set off in the evening that a roof apparently caught fire.