3 People Injured After Firework Malfunction at Maine Ski Resort

An Independence Day fireworks show at Sunday River Ski Resort in Maine turned tragic on Saturday night, July 5, when a 5-inch shell and mortar tube malfunctioned during the display, injuring three members of the pyrotechnics crew.

According to the Office of the State Fire Marshal, the blast occurred around 9:15 p.m. on Barker Mountain Road in Newry. The fireworks display, operated by Central Maine Pyrotechnics, was underway when the shell reportedly misfired, causing an explosion near the launch area.

Fifty-year-old Misty Mellor, who was working as an assistant on the show, suffered serious injuries and was airlifted to Maine Medical Center in Portland. She remains hospitalized but is in stable condition, according to officials.

Jeremy Mitchell, 34, the lead technician for the show, was transported to Rumford Hospital, treated for non-life-threatening injuries, and released later that night. 

A third crew member, 30-year-old Robert Bradford, sustained minor injuries but did not require hospitalization.

No spectators were injured in the incident, though the remainder of the fireworks show was immediately canceled.

The Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office has launched an investigation into the malfunction. While the exact cause remains unknown, officials are examining the failed shell and mortar tube to determine what went wrong.