A 20-year-old man was arrested after allegedly throwing fireworks at police officers who were trying to control a crowd during July 4th festivities in Santa Cruz Friday night, police said today.

Police said several officers responded to a fire sparked by fireworks in the 200 block of First Avenue around 9:45 p.m. Friday.

As the officers attempted to keep an intersection clear, someone threw an airburst-style firework at their feet, according to police.

The firework exploded within about 5 yards of the officers, who were not struck but suffered partial hearing loss for the remainder of the night, according to police.

Witnesses in the crowd identified the man who allegedly threw the firework as Nathan Hansel of Ben Lomond. He was arrested on suspicion of felony assault on a police officer.