One Dead After Fireworks Truck Explodes In North Carolina

July 4, 2009 2:42 p.m. EST

Ocracoke, NC (AHN) - An 18-wheeler truck, loaded with fireworks for a Fourth of July show, exploded on Ocracoke Island in Hyde County North Carolina.

Sheriff's officials told WITN News that at least one person is dead and four are critically injured following the blast.

Workers from Melrose Pyrotechnics, based in South Carolina, were setting up for the island's fireworks tonight when the explosions happened, about 9:15 a.m.

"There was an immediate response from Hyde County Sheriff's Department, the National Park Service, NC DOT Ferry Division, Marine Fisheries, and volunteers to handle the crowds and assess the situation," Jane Hodges, Hyde County interim emergency manager said in a statement. "Fortunately, there were three doctors including a medical examiner and volunteer nurses who responded immediately along with the staff of the Ocracoke Health Center and Hyde County EMS."

Helicopters transported the critically injured for further care, WITN News reported.

Two volunteers firefighters were also were treated at a hospital for smoke inhalation, the Virginia Pilot reported.

"The explosion happened near the ferry docks," Gwen Myers, a former WITN employee, told the station. "It was unreal. There was a huge boom. The explosion peeled the top off the 18-wheeler truck."