Fireworks spark garbage explosion

ADA TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) - Police said discarded fireworks and components to build fireworks likely caused an explosion that injured a Duncan Disposal employee Thursday morning.

It happened around 9:30 a.m. on Dogwood Meadow Drive SE, in the Ada Moorings subdivision.

A Duncan Disposal crew was making its rounds and had just picked up the garbage at 810 Dogwood Meadow Drive. The crew was beginning to compact the load when an explosion blew out of the back of the truck, Kent County sheriff's deputies said.

The blast knocked a sanitation worker to the ground and caused damage to the truck, said Duncan Disposal employee Jacob Trevino, who was part of the crew involved.

The worker who was injured had singed facial hair. He was treated and released at the scene.

The owner of the home does hold a pyrotechnics license, police said. But he was in possession of some fireworks that are considered illegal in Michigan, according to officers. They did not release the man's name, as no charges have been filed against him.

Police said the homeowner had disposed of some fireworks and components to make fireworks, which sparked the explosion.

A woman who answered the door at the home said she had no comment.

Between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Michigan State Police and the Kent County Sheriff's Department, police were trying to figure out which, if any, laws were broken, and if so, whether they would be at the federal, state or local level.