July 4th Fireworks Misfire Into Colorado Crowd, Injure 9

— -- About nine people suffered minor injuries during a fireworks mishap in a Colorado town late Friday evening, officials said.

The incident occurred in Avon, where the town was having its annual Salute to the USA fireworks show. A shell appeared to have exploded in its tube instead of properly firing into the sky, according to a news release issued by the town manager.

“The misfired shell caused the rack of 5” shells to tip in two directions causing two to three shells to cross into the crowd,” the statement said.

Nine people experienced minor abrasion burns from the accident, the town said. They were treated by medical staff at the scene and released.

Deputy Chief Greg Daly said the show, which is in its 29th year and draws about 20,000, had never experienced a production failure, and that authorities responded to the scene in less than a minute. “It is wonderful news that the injuries were very minor,” he said.

The cause of the accident is being investigated.