Man dies after strapping fireworks mortar to his head and setting it off

WCSH6

Show Caption Hide Caption Man dies after strapping fireworks mortar to head One man is dead after a fireworks mishap on July 4th in Maine. Police say the 22-year-old died instantly when he put a fireworks mortar on his head and set it off.

CALAIS, Maine - One young Maine man is dead after he put a fireworks mortar on his head and set it off, according to officials.

Devon Staples, 22, died instantly, said Maine Public Safety Spokesperson Steve McCausland.

McCausland says Staples had been drinking with friends at a home in Calais, Maine, Saturday night. The incident occurred at approximately 10 p.m. EST.

Officials say this is the first death attributed to fireworks since Maine legalized them two years ago.

Investigators said there were non-fatal injuries from private fireworks incidents in the Maine towns of Friendship, Lebanon, Jefferson, Woodstock and a separate incident in Calais. McCausland said those injuries consisted of burns and eye injuries.