David Linn, who has manned the city's fireworks show for 22 years, was recovering from first-, second- and third-degree burns to his neck and head. His eyes also were damaged in the explosion.
Linn's injuries were not life-threatening, and doctors have told him the damage to his eyes will heal.
Linn, who has been the fire chief for nine years, was lighting the first firework of the evening when it exploded in his face, knocking his helmet off.
``I didn't know what happened. It happened so fast, I didn't even see what color (the firework) was,'' Linn told Chronicle-Tribune of Marion for a story Thursday. ``There was enough fire power there to kill me, but I've got a good, hard head, and I'm going to be fine.''
A doctor and nurse on the scene told Linn his face had been burned, but he insisted they dress the wounds and let him finish the pyrotechnics show in the town about 40 miles southwest of Fort Wayne.
``It put a shock on the (fire) department, but I was proud of the guys,'' Linn said. ``They were scared, they were really nervous and scared, but they really did a good job. We got the show finished.''
Linn said he planned to make some changes to next year's fireworks display to safeguard against accidents.
