Man loses hand to firework in early July 4th celebration
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Authorities say a central Florida man blew his left hand off with a firework during an early Fourth of July celebration.
The Orlando Sentinel reports it happened Thursday night at a Leesburg home.
The firework was attached to a wooden stake designed to be planted in the ground and had a foil-covered ball inside that explodes after launch. Witnesses told police that Brett Demascio lit the fuse, but the spark went out. He then picked up the foil-covered ball in his left hand, lit the shortened fuse and attempted to throw it. An incident report says the firework exploded early, tearing off most of the man's hand.
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Demascio was airlifted to an Ocala hospital. His updated condition wasn't available Friday.
No criminal charges were immediately filed.