Fireworks believed to cause thunderous blast that killed a Southern Kentucky man
Fireworks are believed to have been involved in a thunderous blast that resulted in the death of a Somerset man Sunday, police said.
A neighbor said the man who died made fireworks.
The explosion Sunday about 10 a.m. broke windows and damaged drywall in neighboring houses and could be heard miles away.
“Scared the hell right out of me,” said Shelley Watson, who lives next door.
The blast happened at a garage in a subdivision just outside the city, leveling the garage and causing fatal injuries to one man.
Pulaski County Sheriff Bobby Jones identified the man who died as Chris Fineberg.
Jones told the Herald-Leader the explosion was thought to be the result of fireworks and “other material in the garage.”
The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the explosion with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Kentucky State Police.
Jones said ATF is the lead agency in the investigation.
Watson lives next door to where the explosion happened and was outside at the time. She was peppered by debris from the blast.
“It was so loud and scary,” she told the Herald-Leader.
Watson said she heard nine or 10 more big blasts after the initial detonation, and fireworks continued to go off for some time.
Watson said Fineberg made fireworks at the site.
Capt. Mark Gretz with Parkers Mill Volunteer Fire Department said firefighters from another department miles away reported hearing the blast.
Gretz said the blast caused damage at a number of other homes.
“It stretches way, way back,” Gretz said of the damage.
The blast also created a large debris field. Authorities asked that if anyone finds anything that looks like debris or is suspicious, notify the ATF or other local agencies.
