Neighborhood rocked by fireworks explosion

Posted On 25 Jul 2013

Wake Forest firefighters quickly secured the scene of an explosion at S&W Productions, LLC, the company that produces the annual Wake Forest and Rolesville fireworks shows. Paul Baldree, the owner and operator, was injured during Saturday’s blast, which also rocked nearby homes, but was listed in fair condition Sunday. (Photo by Todd Allen)

Company owner injured while disposing of old materials.

by Clellie Allen
WAKE FOREST — Reports of a significant explosion drew fire, rescue and sheriff units to 1337 Wait Ave. Saturday evening.
At approximately 7:30 p.m., residents near the home, which is also the site of S&W Productions, LLC, a pyrotechnic company, said a loud explosion rattled their homes.
The subsequent 911 call from someone at the home revealed that an explosion in a fire barrel left 54-year-old Paul Baldree with injuries.
The caller, who was not identified, is heard saying, “You can see his insides hanging out … he’s bleeding all over the d— place … My mom’s holding his insides in.”
While receiving instructions from the EMS dispatcher, the caller reported he was able to stop the bleeding, but could not explain what caused the explosion.
“I have no idea. It was in the back yard. There was a big a— explosion and I saw parts flying all over the yard,” he said.
Other media reported Wake Sheriff Donnie Harrison as saying Baldree was disposing of old fireworks when it happened.
“It was a 55-gallon barrel next to the house,” Harrison said. “It was quite an explosion. It blew the window lights out of the house and damaged the trailer … The man is very lucky to be alive.”
Baldree and his wife Cheri own and operate S&W Productions. They are well known to surrounding communities as they produce the annual fireworks shows for Wake Forest and Rolesville’s July 4 celebrations. They have also produced the fireworks displays for Durham Bulls baseball games and New Years celebrations in downtown Raleigh.
The Better Business Bureau has given them an A-plus rating and their website states that because of their safety record, they are the only company ever to be allowed to fire fireworks from the top of the State Capitol building since the Civil War.
A spokesperson with the Wake County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation has been turned over to the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which is standard protocol. He also said the Sheriff’s Office did not expect any criminal charges would result.
Baldree was transported to a local hospital and as of Sunday, was listed in fair condition.