Two separate explosions during a Fourth of July fireworks show in Checotah on Monday caused two firefighters to suffer concussions, according to KOTV.
The blasts sparked a grass fire and ended the display abruptly, officials said.
"We done plenty of grassfires, house fires, and wrecks. You do a little fireworks show and you get hurt. It's amazing," Firefighter Will Ferguson, one of the injured firefighters, told the news station.
This was his third year working the show, but now he says he's done with it.
"All I remember is lighting it, turning, and when I turn next thing I know face first into the dirt and rolling around on my back. And everyone being right above me," he said.
He said the mortar exploded as it exited the canister.
His fellow firefighters placed him in a fire truck and allowed the show to continue. Fifteen minutes later, Firefighter Jeremy Matthews was blown back by a second explosion.
Ferguson said it they weren't wear their turnout gear, the outcome could have been much different.
"My bunker helmet, shield down, earplugs, my bunker uniform, and, probably if we didn't have that on, I can't tell you what it would have done."
