No Contamination Found at Fireworks Blast Site

The detonation of nearly eight tons of illegal fireworks in a remote Antelope Valley quarry did not contaminate the soil or ground water, but future such events will have greater environmental safeguards, state fire officials said Tuesday.

Test results of soil sampling conducted by a private firm hired by the state fire marshal’s office showed no harmful residues from the June 27 explosive display, intended to stress the dangers of illegal fireworks. Local water officials had voiced concerns because the blast site was located in a prime ground water recharge area for the Valley.

But state Deputy Fire Marshal Dave Walizer, who said that such environmental concerns had never been raised in previous fireworks explosions, predicted that future test sites will be selected more carefully. The report said that removal of soil in the burn area is not required, according to a statement by state fire officials.