4-year-old girl killed in fireworks explosion

CLINTONVILLE, Wis. -- Authorities in Wisconsin have identified a 4-year-old girl killed in a fireworks explosion as Alyssa Chmielewski.

WBAY reports the girl died shortly after the blast Monday night at a home on Hughes Street in Clintonville.

Officers arrived on scene of the ambulance call at 10:30 p.m. and learned a 4-year-old girl had been severely injured as the result of a reported explosion.

The girl's father, a 42-year-old Clintonville man, had put together a set of "sparkler type" fireworks in a metal tube, which exploded when it was lit.

Alyssa was hit by shrapnel in the neck and upper body area. She died at the home.

The father was hit by some shrapnel but not seriously injured.

"It goes to stress the importance of when people are handling fireworks. That there is a designed way that they're supposed to be used," said Chief James Beggs, Clintonville Police Department. "Obviously this wasn't handled. A sparkler is designed to be handled in a certain way, when they're grouped together and placed in a tube such as this then things like this can happen."

Clintonville Police Department was assisted by various agencies including Clintonville Area Ambulance Service, Marion Police, Thedastar, Waupaca County Coroner's Office and Clintonville Fire Department.

This is an ongoing investigation. An autopsy of the child will be performed on Tuesday.

Officers have not said if charges will be filed.