Fireworks shoot into crowd in Colorado, injuring 9 people

Robert Garrison | KUSA-TV, Denver

Show Caption Hide Caption Short video of Avon fireworks accident Short video of Avon fireworks accident. 9NEWS.com. 07/03/15.

AVON, Colo. — Nine spectators were injured after fireworks were accidentally shot into the crowd during a show here Friday night, authorities say.

The injured spectators suffered minor burns, according to Tracy LeClair of the Eagle River Fire Department.

The accident occurred during the "Salute to the USA" show at Harry A. Nottingham Park in Avon, about 80 miles west of Denver. The annual event, which attracts about 20,000 people, was abruptly ended after the incident.

Virginia Egger, the town manager in Avon, says a malfunction caused a fireworks shell to explode in its tube rather than firing into the sky. She says the misfired shell caused a rack of shells to tip, causing two or three shells to go off toward the crowd.

The cause of the malfunction is under investigation.

Contributing: The Associated Press