The dangers of fireworks were apparent over the long holiday weekend as  the state Fire Marshal says six people were hurt in Ohio by fireworks or related explosions. The number is down from 11 during last year's holiday period.
     
Interim Fire Marshal Donald Cooper said in a statement Tuesday that the latest incidents were reminders of dangerous fireworks can be.
     
Officials say most of the injuries were not serious and involved professional fireworks exhibitors. But a man from the Columbus suburb of Whitehall remains hospitalized from a fireworks device that ignited near his face and upper torso on July 5.

The fire marshal's office also says its investigators last week seized nearly two tons of illegal fireworks in a raid in western Ohio's Darke County.

In that raid, the man hired by two communites to perform the fireworks show didn't get the required paper work filed and didn't get the required insurance.

Last Thursday Steve Oberer had his fireworks confiscated by authorities when it was determined he didn't have the required paperwork.

Officials in Greenville and Ansonia had to cancel their shows over the weekend after the fireworks were confiscated.

In all, 3,942 pounds of fireworks were seized in Darke County. Charges against Oberer are pending as authorities continue to investigate the incident.

The fireworks were improperly stored in two vehicles, a garage and on residential property.

Officials estimate the fireworks were worth "tens of thousands of dollars", said Shane Cartmill with the Fire Marshal's office in Columbus.

Both communities kept celebrations scheduled over the weekend with the exception of the fireworks display.

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