Vick man severely burned in fireworks accident
Wed, 07/08/2015 - 06:00
AvoyellesToday.com
A holiday tradition turned into a holiday tragedy Saturday night when a spark from fireworks ignited fireworks in a vehicle, causing an explosion that severely burned a Vick man watching the display.
Christopher Laborde of Vick was standing next to a vehicle in which fireworks for the celebration were stored to keep them dry, the Catahoula Sheriff’s Office reported.
Catahoula Sheriff's Detective Bubba Roy said deputies received a call just before 8:30 p.m. Saturday from Uncle Bud's Cabins and RV Park on Larto Lake.
Former Avoyelles Parish Police Juror Larry Sayes, an eyewitness to the incident, said he was standing about 100 yards away from that vehicle when a firework exploded close to the ground, sending sparks into the vehicle, resulting in an explosion.
There was a large crowd of campers and local residents to watch the fireworks.
“Every year people donate money to purchase the fireworks and then there are volunteers that help shoot off the fireworks,” Sayes said.
“When it happened, I was scared to death,” Sayes continued. “I just knew someone had lost their life.”
Laborde received first, second and third-degree burns. He was initially taken to Avoyelles Hospital in Marksville and then transferred to a burn unit in Baton Rouge. Roy said Laborde’s burns are extensive and he will be in the burn unit for at least a week.
Sayes said as of Tuesday morning that Laborde was recovering from his injuries.