LAYTON, Utah — Two people suffered minor injuries after a malfunction sent fireworks into the crowd gathered at a Pioneer Day holiday event in Layton Wednesday.
The malfunction involved a "firework cake" in the display, which were set off electronically, at Andy Adams Park, according to the Layton Fire Department.
Raw video below shows fireworks malfunction at Layton park (Dulcélia Kuss Evans):
"When I had seen it not be in the sky and just a flame straight towards my area, I was sitting at I just took cover and ran," said witness Mickey Aguinaga.
Video of the incident shows the fireworks exploding as people can be heard screaming in the background.
"Everyone screaming, running, it was definitely scary," added Aguinaga. "I'm definitely shaking about the whole situation."
Adam Cloud was at the park with his family, along with what he said were hundreds of other people. His family has been coming to the event for years and never experienced what happened Wednesday.
Cloud claims the fireworks show has been put on by the same family every year as a thank you to the community.
"It just sucks because it was meant to be a gratitude show, so the fact that some people got injured, I really feel for those people," said Cloud.
Video below shows different angle of fireworks malfunction (Adam Cloud):
A quick response followed due to fire department crews already positioned at the park. Two people with minor injuries were treated at the scene and not transported to the hospital.
Both Cloud and Aguinaga said this year, people were sitting to close to where the fireworks were being set off.
"Every firework show I go to, I feel like people are sitting too close," Cloud said. "I feel like people do not exercise enough caution around fireworks."
Nearly everyone wants the show to continue, but want changes to be made for safety.
"Fireworks are still explosive and accidents happen, things happen, so you should always take precaution that fireworks, you never know what's going to happen when it comes to them," Aguinaga said.
The "firework cake" was taken from the park to be investigated.
Layton Fire Chief Kevin Ward said officials will look into hosting events such as fireworks displays at Andy Adams Park in the future as it is not really meant to host big displays.
The incident comes weeks after 18 people were injured on July 4 when fireworks went into the stands and field of the Stadium of Fire event in Provo.
