Fireworks Provider Returns With 'Lessons Learned' From Last Year

Each year the town takes precautions to make sure Wilmington residents can safely enjoy a spectacular fireworks show to close out Fourth of July week. Following an incident after last year’s display, there will be extra care taken to make sure everything goes off without a hitch after this year’s fireworks.

In the days following last year’s Independence Day fireworks displays, unexploded shells were found in Wilmington, Stoughton, Waltham and Ware. The end result was a one-year suspension for fireworks vendor Pyrotecnico.

Tony Gentile, the man who has set off Wilmington’s massive fireworks show in recent years, had his own license suspended for six months for failing  to complete a thorough search.

According to Fourth of July Committee chairman Scott Garrant, Gentile is back to full licensure and will be back in town on Saturday night as the town hosts its fireworks display.

“I certainly hope that lessons were learned,” said Garrant. “We are very confident the requirements set by the State Fire Marshal will be followed very closely.”

Gentile will shoot off the fireworks from the Wilmington High School football field, which is where the unexploded shells were discovered last year.

Wilmington Fire Lt. Dan Hurley said that this year Gentile and his crew will be required to do a sweep of the area as soon as the fireworks show is over. They also must do the same first thing on Sunday morning.

Opening ceremonies will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday night, with the fireworks set to kick off at 9:30 p.m.

“They’re going to be more diligent this year,” said Hurley. “I feel comfortable with Tony and there won’t be any issues I’m sure. If there is a faulty product again, it will be found.”