WILMINGTON — Chief Joseph Desmond reports that the Wilmington Police Department, acting on a tip from a resident, located an illegal fireworks sale in Wilmington on Friday, and is summonsing two men to court as a result.
On Friday, June 20, at approximately 3 p.m., the Wilmington Police Department was notified by a resident of a flyer advertising a fireworks sale that was planned to occur at 65 Industrial Way.
Wilmington Police, acting on information contained in the flyer, set up surveillance in the area. Police confirmed via surveillance and a subsequent motor vehicle stop that fireworks were being sold out of a building at 65 Industrial Way.
Police entered the building while the sale was occurring, and located two men, a 56-year-old man from Nottingham, N.H., and a 49-year-old man from Tewksbury, who were responsible for the sales.
Both men will now be summonsed to Woburn District Court to face a charge of sale of fireworks.
Upon searching the building in its entirety, police located 70 unopened boxes of fireworks and 30 opened boxes of fireworks, worth an estimated $40,000 to $50,000.
Due to potential hazards posed by the fireworks, Wilmington Police contacted the Wilmington Fire Department, State Police Bomb Squad and the State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit attached to the State Fire Marshal’s Office for assistance. All three agencies helped to secure the fireworks, and the State Police Bomb Squad then took safe possession of all of the fireworks.
According to statistics released on Sunday by the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services, illegal fireworks have caused 559 fires and explosions, and 220 serious injuries in Massachusetts in the past five years.
“Fireworks cause injuries and fires each year in Massachusetts, and we will not tolerate their sale or use here in Wilmington,” said Chief Desmond. “I want to thank the alert resident who brought this case to our attention, and the other agencies that helped us respond.”
Wilmington Police would like to thank the Wilmington Fire Department, the Massachusetts State Police, and the State Fire Marshal’s Office for their assistance.
“The possession, use, and sale of fireworks in Massachusetts requires licensing and certification because of the hazards they pose,” said State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine. “As a result, our fireworks injury rate is about one-fifth the national average. Please don’t risk a fire, explosion, or day in court — leave fireworks to the professionals.”
For more information on firework safety and information on where to find properly licensed fireworks displays in Massachusetts, click here.
These are allegations. All defendants are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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