Saugus man loses fingers to fireworks

SAUGUS – A 23-year-old man lost part of his left thumb and his entire index finger Saturday night in an explosion caused from lighting off fireworks during a July 4 party at his home.Joseph M. Carozza, of 7 Oak Point Road, was handling Class C and commercial-grade fireworks in his backyard when they blew up, his mother, Karen, said. He is at Massachusetts General Hospital, where he was medflighted Saturday. He underwent hand surgery Sunday morning. The injuries are not life-threatening, his mother said. She said her son is in “good hands” at MGH.?He is expected to make a full recovery,” Carozza said.?It could have been much worse,” she said. “He?s 23, and isn?t a kid anymore. I still have all four of my children at home. He was with his friends, but alcohol wasn?t involved.”She said she hasn?t seen him since the accident and said that she will reprimand him when he returns from the hospital.Consumer fireworks are illegal in Massachusetts. And while an arrest has not been made, charges will be brought in conjunction with the Essex District Attorney?s office,said Jennifer Mieth, public information officer for the Department of Fire Services.?A large cache of fireworks was discovered in a bedroom of the residence,” Mieth said in a statement released Sunday morning. “The State Police Bomb Squad was called to secure the fireworks, take evidence to submit to the crime lab, and on the morning of July 5, to detonate the fireworks at the Saugus Department of Public Works facility.”Saugus Fire Capt. Thomas Nolan, who was on scene Saturday, forwarded all media inquires to the Dept. of Fire Services since the incident remains under investigation.Fire Capt. Tommy D?Eon, who confiscated the fireworks, received a call about 10 p.m. to investigate a severe hand injury, caused by illegal use of fireworks.D?Eon, along with the State Police, remained on the scene until 1:30 a.m.. Saturday, and returned at 9 a.m. Sunday to further investigate.Meith said while there were no injuries or mishaps at any of the professional supervised fireworks displays, there have been injuries and fires from fireworks along with several seizures of illegal fireworks and urged to leave it to the professionals.State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan reminded the public that only licensed professionals are allowed to use, possess, and transport fireworks in Massachusetts.?These incidents underscore how important our messages is to leave the fireworks to the professionals and enjoy the many professional fireworks shows,” Coan said.Officials say Carozza was in the process of lighting a firework when it exploded in his hand.Next door neighbor and witness John Loconte, of 13 Oak Point Road, said Carozza?s July 4 party, which he said lasted throughout the day, was nothing wild.But Loconte saw a lot of action after the injury occurred in Carozza?s backyard.?I saw a fireworks explosion, young adults, a bunch of police cruisers, one news reporter, and other public safety vehicles around 11 p.m.,” Loconte said. “However, I didn?t talk to anyone. I had just returned from a party at a friend?s house.”