Santa Ana Man Mangles Hands Lighting 'Military Kind Of Mortar' In July 4 Celebration, Fire Department Says

SANTA ANA (CBSLA.com) — A 21-year-old Santa Ana man was taken to the hospital Monday night after sustaining injuries to his hands from setting off an explosive device in celebration of the July 4 holiday, authorities said Tuesday.

Fire crews said they responded to the scene on Washington Ave. and found a man had sustained injuries from setting off an illegal firework from what they described as a mortar-like device, bearing a resemblance to a military weapon.

"I'm pretty sure it's literally like a military kind of mortar," said Brandon Zinsmeister of the Orange County Fire Authorities. "It's shaped like that."

Neighbors were alerted by a loud explosion, and then, screaming.

"I heard an explosion all of a sudden," neighbor Eduardo Sanchez said. "His mom was screaming in agony."

The man was taken into surgery at UCI Medical Center Monday night. An update on his condition was not immediately available.