ACME TOWNSHIP MI — Authorities in northern Michigan confirmed that fireworks blew off part of a man’s genitals earlier this week.

Grand Traverse County fire personnel say a 45-year-old man was rushed to Munson Medical Center in Traverse City on Monday evening after a mortar shell exploded between his legs.

The man apparently thought the ground-based shell was a dud and went up to check on it when it fired, hitting the man in the left testicle, causing serious injuries, fire officials said.

The man’s present condition and identity are unknown.

Grand Traverse Metro Fire Department and the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s department responded to the incident, which took place about 8:54 p.m. on Monday on the 4500 block of Bunker Hill Road in Acme Township, near Williamsburg.

More powerful and dangerous fireworks legalized this year by the state Legislature have resulted in some serious injuries around the state, and were blamed for burning down a large, 1,100-family Catholic Church in Kentwood last weekend.

Although many downstate municipalities have banned the airborne or "consumer grade" fireworks as much as allowed by state law, Acme Township has not passed a local ordinance restricting their use beyond what's already on the books for noise violations, although that remains a possibility, say officials.

"We have had numerous complaints this year," Nikki Lennox, township zoning administrator.