East TN man dead after firework exploded into his chest, authorities say

BLOUNT COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE) — A Maryville man is dead after a firework he was holding in his hand exploded into his chest, according to the Blount County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies said they responded to an address along Evergreen Farms Lane, which is between Binfield and Greenback, around 10 p.m. on Thursday, July 4 because of a report of an unconscious person.

When authorities arrived, they found three people performing CPR on a man. According to a report from the sheriff’s office, deputies took over CPR and holding pressure on a wound to the man’s chest until medics arrived.

The man, identified as Matthew Sellars, 35, of Maryville, was taken to Blount Memorial Hospital. He was pronounced dead around 10:30 p.m.

A witness at the scene told law enforcement that he, Sellars, and another person were shooting fireworks by holding them in their hands when a firework Sellars was holding exploded into his chest.

The sheriff’s office said no one else was reported injured in the incident.

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