A mortar-style firework killed a man in Westerly when it was ignited on his head

WESTERLY – A 39-year-old man was killed on May 12 when a mortar-style firework was placed on top of his head and set off, Police Chief Paul Gingerella said Tuesday.

Gingerella commented on the fatality in response to questions about an ongoing investigation into the death of David Ziegenfuss.

A recent autopsy report lists the cause of death as a "blast injury" to Ziegenfuss' head and lists the manner of death as accidental, Gingerella said.

"It appears they were messing around and they placed a firework on top of his head," said the chief.

An investigation into the circumstances of the death at a home on Pound Road continues, Gingerella said, adding that the mortar-type firework was illegal and that it appears alcohol was involved.

A case study in dangers of illegal fireworks, chief says

The additional details on the death from Gingerella throw a spotlight on the dangers of illegal fireworks, as well as the lethality of mixing high-risk activity with alcohol use.

"The involvement of alcohol increases the dangers of illegal activities exponentially," Gingerella said.

"Use common sense if you're going to be drinking as you celebrate the holiday."

Mortar-style fireworks have recoil, expert says

Mortar-type fireworks launch out of fiberglass or polypropylene tubes.

They were associated with most of the 11 fireworks-related deaths that took place in the U.S. in 2022, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Some fireworks mortars are single-use.

Others are reloadable, according to Gerard Wingard, director of standards and compliance at the Maryland-based American Fireworks Standards Laboratory , which certifies consumer fireworks for entry into and use in the United States.

The firework shell has an initial "lift charge."

Gases produced by the charge propel the shell into the air, and once it reaches the right altitude, a bright charge ignites with visual effects, Wingard said.

The directions call for placement of the tube on a "hard, flat, level surface" and they also say that whoever lights the fuse should "get away" once it's lit, Wingard added.

Dangerous behavior with fireworks draws attention on social media

Videos showing certain fireworks being set off from atop people's heads have drawn attention on social media in recent years, said Wingard, who investigates fireworks-related fatalities.

The firing of the lift charge, Wingard said, produces recoil, which is why directions call for placing the tube on a hard surface.

He said he has also investigated the firing of mortars off people's chests and abdominal areas.

"It's a terrible thing," he said. "It's definitely a sad way for people to hurt themselves."

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: A mortar-style firework killed a man in Westerly when it was ignited on his head