By Dan Rozek
CHicago Sun-Times
CHICAGO — The recent theft of at least 5,000 pounds of high-powered, commercial-grade fireworks from a storage facility has DuPage County authorities worried that the missing shells, in the hands of an amateur, could be deadly.
With July 4th approaching, officials fear the powerful shells will end up being fired off in backyards and local parks -- where they could cause serious injuries or death because users don’t know how to safely ignite them.
A five-inch mortar shell -- one of the most common items taken -- is powerful enough to kill someone if it detonates nearby and could even destroy a car if it blows up while being transported, DuPage County Sheriff’s Department officials said Wednesday.
“If one of these things goes off in your hand, you’re probably going to die,” said Sgt. Jim Ruff, commander of the department’s Hazardous Device Unit.
DuPage County has seen at least three fatalities from fireworks in the last seven years -- all from heavy-duty shells, Ruff said.
Sheriff’s police issued the warning as they demonstrated a new $150,000 robot designed to help them safely disable explosives and fireworks.
“Fireworks in the wrong hands are extremely dangerous,” DuPage County Sheriff John Zaruba said, encouraging residents to call the sheriff’s office or local police department if they find unattended fireworks.
The sheriff’s department recently helped dispose of a large quantity of commercial-grade fireworks illegally stored in southern DuPage County, though officials wouldn’t disclose more information because the investigation is ongoing.
But authorities say at least 5,000 pounds of fireworks may have been removed from the stash -- and possibly sold or distributed in small quantities -- before police became aware of the supply.
“I’m very concerned,” said Ruff.
The mortar shells -- which typically are turnip-shaped and covered in heavy brown paper -- range from 5 inches to 10 inches in diameter. Many are equipped with long fuses -- but still ignite almost instantly when lit. The fuses, designed for electronic ignition, can burn as quickly as a rate of 100 feet per second.
The shells are so dangerous that police typically destroy them electronically --from 800 feet away.
“We don’t want to be anywhere near these things,” Ruff said.
Copyright 2009 Chicago Sun-Times