HONOLULU — Following a tragic fireworks explosion on New Year’s Day, six residents from Hawaii were transported to Arizona for urgent medical treatment, with their injuries described by the overseeing physician as being similar to those seen in combat situations. Dr. Kevin Foster, who heads the Arizona Burn Center in Phoenix, reported on the nature and severity of the injuries sustained.
Dr. Foster detailed that the explosion produced not just thermal injuries from the heat and flames but also traumatic harm due to high-velocity flying debris and particles. “The explosive aspect adds a layer of complexity to the injuries, with projectiles striking the patients at remarkable speeds,” he stated during a live-streamed news conference.
The devastating incident resulted in the deaths of four individuals, including a toddler of just 3 years old, and left approximately 20 others injured. On January 4, the U.S. military stepped in to transport six seriously wounded individuals to Arizona, as the only burn unit in Hawaii was unable to accommodate all of the injured parties at that time.
According to Dr. Foster, the seriousness of the injuries caused by the flying debris became increasingly apparent only during surgical procedures. He explained that such revelations are typically expected in cases like these. “It’s only when you operate on these patients that you truly grasp the extent of their injuries. It’s understandable that this went unnoticed initially,” he mentioned.
The nature of the trauma led to some atypical infections, though Foster reassured that this was not unexpected for medical personnel. The burn center has prior experience with similar cases involving fireworks injuries, and he highlighted that infections are nearly inevitable in burn victims.
The explosion occurred in a residential area of Honolulu, within a three-story home that featured a carport on the ground level. In response to this incident, Hawaii Governor Josh Green recently put forward a series of proposals aimed at instituting stricter penalties for violations of the state’s fireworks regulations. Furthermore, the Hawaii Department of Law Enforcement has petitioned the Legislature for $5.2 million to bolster resources, including hiring eight additional staff members and enhancing forensic lab capabilities to combat the increasing issue of illegal fireworks smuggling.
