Father of 3 killed in NW Side fireworks mishap; CFD battles 13 fireworks-related fires

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A man was killed on the city's Northwest Side, and Chicago firefighters battled blazes due to the use of illegal fireworks on the Fourth of July.

A 34-year-old man was injured while handling a firework at 10 p.m. Thursday in the 3000-block of North Kostner Avenue in Belmont Gardens, and died on the scene, Chicago police said.

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CFD said the mortar device was delayed in going off, causing massive trauma.

The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office identified the man as Earl Lory of Chicago. His family said he had two young children and a third on the way.

"He went to light it up. He went down like this, straight to the firework. Then, when he light it up, he take too long to back off, the thing blow up right in his face," said neighbor Pedro Vega.

Lory died instantly in front of his family. His mother said he was a great son who always helped her.

"It's a terrible tragedy and I feel so, so sorry for his family and people around him but I think there are so many people doing it there is bound to be an accident, they are explosives," said neighbor Ashley Godfrey.

Area Five detectives are investigating.

Chicago firefighters dealt with a number of fireworks-related fires Thursday night.

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Video from Englewood shows multiple fires on the street likely from people lighting fireworks. Additionally, multiple garages, garbage cans, porches and other kinds of property were damaged.

"City-wide there was an overwhelming response to the fireworks to Chicago, at the minimum we have 13 fireworks related fires, and that is a conservative estimate that number will increase over time as reporting comes in," said CFD Deputy District Chief Doug Crowley.

Other video shows firefighters battling a large house fire in the 6000-block of South Honore Street.

No one was injured in that incident.

CFD said it was the most fires caused by fireworks in at least 20 years. Fortunately, no one was injured.

Though fireworks are illegal in Chicago, they are easily accessible over state lines.

CFD knows fireworks often continue throughout the weekend. Officials cannot stress enough fireworks accidents are 100% preventable and people must leave it up to the professionals to fire them off.