Family Warns of Dangers of Homemade Fireworks After Dad Dies of Explosion

Jesse Owen Thornton, 35, a father of three, died while making a bottle rocket at home. The explosion happened in the early hours of May 28. The incident injured his hand and caused substantial damage to his liver, colon, and rib, eventually causing his death.

Thornton's mother, Victoria Eldridge Fowler, wanted others to know the dangers of building or setting off fireworks. She advised that making fireworks must be left to professionals. She added that lighting fireworks must be done carefully as being injured by it is "not worth it."

According to the Hawaii Island Police, they responded to a report of an explosion at a residence located at Ala Naulani Road on May 28, which left a man severely injured. When the responders arrived on the scene, they found Thornton lying on the floor with a critical wound on his abdomen. He was immediately transported to the Hilo Medical Center and later flown to Queen's Medical Center in Honolulu.

Fowler said Thornton died on May 30, after they took off his life support. Thornton's mom and his wife, Marci, were still picking up the pieces of their lives after the explosion.

Making homemade fireworks for July 4

The authorities noted that Thornton was making a homemade firework when the incident occurred. Fowler said his son has been making fireworks since he was a kid. She said he was making bottle rockets for the fourth of July to entertain his children, only that something went wrong.

Fowler said her son was such a creative soul, and he was always fascinated with fireworks. The mom said Thornton was so resourceful and careful around fireworks that she rarely worried for his safety. He always said, "if you want it, you can make it," Fowler recalled.

According to Khon 2, Thornton's wife and three daughters were asleep upstairs when the explosion happened. The wife remembered that the explosion was so strong that the whole house shook. She recalled running into the room, and it was just a cloud of smoke. Her husband was still conscious but was not doing well.

When she held her husband, he told her he had messed up and should have listened to her. The bottle rocket exploded in his hand, and caused him to lose a good portion of his liver and most of his colon, broke his rib, and fractured his left hand badly. Although he underwent multiple surgeries, he did not survive the accident.

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The dangers of homemade fireworks

Knowing how dangerous the homemade fireworks materials are, the Hawai'i Island police who responded sought the help of their bomb technicians, who are part of a Hawai'i Interisland Bomb Squad (HIBS) response team. HIBS is an inter-agency squad comprised of personnel from the Hawai'i Police Department, Maui Police Department, and Kauai Police Department, trained in handling hazardous explosive materials and devices.

According to Today, the family is now urging the public not to make the same mistake as Thornton. Marci advised everyone to follow the rules and be safe, as using homemade fireworks is not worth losing a loved one or family member.

Fowler warned everyone not to make or play with fireworks if they do not have the required protective clothing or are not licensed. She added that she lost her only son to the tragic accident and could not get him back.

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