Cops Reveal Man Killed When Firework Exploded Unexpectedly Was Fireman

Story By: James King, Sub-Editor: Marija Stojkoska, Agency: Newsflash

Austrian officials have revealed that a 23-year-old man who was killed when a massive firework exploded unexpectedly was a local volunteer fireman.

The young man, named only as Manual L. due to strict local privacy laws, made the fatal mistake of returning to a lit firework when it appeared to have gone out, only for it to then explode into life with devastating effect.

He was one of eight people who were setting off fireworks to celebrate the New Year on a meadow in the town of Klausen-Leopoldsdorf in the district of Baden in the state of Lower Austria.

Manuel, L, 23-year-old , was killed during a pyrotechnic s explosion in Klausen-Leopoldsdorf, Germany, on New Years Eve (31 December). (Newsflash)

He had gone back to the firework together with three friends after it had been lit and appeared not to have exploded.

However, just as they reached it, the firework, which was a so-called ‘ball firework’ known locally as a ‘Kugelbombe’ that is designed to explode in a huge and rapidly expanding ball, went off.

Of the three others, one of those aged 22 is critically hurt, while the other two, including a 19-year-old, are reportedly not as seriously injured.

Emergency crews at the scene of the pyrotechnic s explosion in Klausen-Leopoldsdorf, Germany, on New Years Eve (31 December). (Newsflash)

The four were taken to different hospitals by ambulance, according to emergency services press spokesman Philipp Gutlederer.

In Austria, many of the country’s firemen are volunteers, and colleagues of the dead 23-year-old took to social media to share their shock at the news of his death.

At the volunteer fire service in the village of Maria Raisenmarkt in Baden where he lived and worked, there were many messages for his friends and family.

A local fire station honoured Manuel, L, 23-year-old , was killed during a pyrotechnic s explosion in Klausen-Leopoldsdorf, Germany, on New Years Eve (31 December). (Newsflash)

Police are investigating the incident, and a special protective squad has been examining the explosive devices that were being used by the group and that caused the tragedy.

The fireworks were placed in pipes and, according to police spokesman Heinz Holub-Friedreich, they were categorised as class-4, which means they were highly explosive and dangerous and should only have been used by somebody qualified and experienced with explosives.

Whether there was anybody at hand that had this licence is part of the investigation.

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