Fatal fireworks death remains under investigation

A fatal firework accident has led to the death of 70-year-old local man, Robert Spagnuolo according to District Attorney Tim Cruz.

Wareham Police responded to a call about a person struck by a firework at 9:19 p.m. on Friday, July 4. Personnel responded to the area of 34 Beach Street near Swifts Beach and located the victim with facial injuries. 

Member of the Swifts Beach Improvement Association, Christy Patalano, said that she was praying for the family. 

"He was a very nice guy," she said. "It's an unfortunate accident and it could happen to anybody."

Investigators determined via witness statements that Spagnuolo was setting off fireworks at the beach when one exploded in his face causing traumatic injuries. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Public Information Officer for the Department of Fire Services, Jake Wark said that while the Massachusetts fireworks injury rate is about one-fifth the national rate, the last week of June and first week of July see an increase of accidents.

"We unfortunately see numerous fireworks related fires and injuries at this time of year," Wark said.

According to Wark, of the 220 fireworks-related visits to Massachusetts emergency departments from 2020 to 2024, 111 took place during June and July. These months also accounted for 366 of the 559 fires and explosions caused by fireworks during the same five-year period. 

Both injuries and fires held relatively steady last year and reflect a decline from historically high numbers in 2020, when 75 ER visits and 187 fires or explosions were reported statewide.

The investigation into the accident is ongoing.