Three charged after Lake Mohawk fireworks accident injures 1, sets fire to homemade barge

BYRAM — Three Sussex County residents celebrating Independence Day were charged after a fireworks display went wrong and injured at least one person and set fire to a homemade barge, police said.

Two Byram residents, ages 28 and 23, and a 22-year-old Ogdensburg man were arrested following the accident that took place at a home on Birch Parkway Monday night, according to a press release from the Byram Township Police Department.

Officers responded to the home on Lake Mohawk just over the Sparta border at 9:42 p.m. Monday. Upon arrival, they noticed a homemade barge on the lake that had apparently caught fire during a fireworks display, the release stated.

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Police determined that some of the fireworks accidentally ignited and struck a group of people standing on the barge. The group then jumped into the water, where they were picked up by a boat and brought back to shore, according to the release.

One person suffered severe burns and was transported by the Lakeland Emergency Squad to the hospital for treatment. An investigation revealed that some of the fireworks used on the barge were commercial-grade and not to be used by the public, police said.

The trio were each charged with reckless endangerment, possession of dangerous fireworks and possession and use of prohibited fireworks. All three were released pending a Sussex County Superior Court date.

This article originally appeared on New Jersey Herald: Sussex County NJ fireworks accident leads to charges, injury