Authorities say three people are dead and 20 others injured in a New Year’s fireworks explosion in a Honolulu-area neighborhood. The accident happened around midnight when a lit bundle of mortar-style fireworks tipped over and fired into crates containing other fireworks that exploded. Two women died at the scene and third woman died at a hospital. Some children are among those with serious burn and shrapnel injuries. A fourth person was killed and at least four others injured in unrelated fireworks accidents elsewhere on Oahu. Authorities urge Honolulu residents to give up their tradition of setting off fireworks across the city on New Year’s.
