Maine Public Safety Office spokesman Steve McCausland said July 7 that two 30-year-olds had been transported to a Boston hospital following eye injuries that occurred in separate towns, but both later in the evening, July 4.

In total, he said eight to 10 people in Maine suffered injuries associated with setting off private fireworks across the state. In addition, a 22-year-old man was killed in Calais after he had placed a mortar atop his head, then lighted it. 

In Jefferson, Kristen Gagnon suffered a severe eye injury at Cape Corner Lane when a firework tipped over after being set off. She was transported via ambulance to Miles Memorial Hospital in Damariscotta, and then was transported by a LifeFlight helicopter to a Boston hospital.

In Friendship, Kyle Marten, Jr., was on Red Maple Lane July 4 where he attempted to light a firework. Seeing that it had not detonated, he went back to it, and that’s when it exploded, on a trajectory to his right eye, said McCausland.

Over the July 4, 2015 holiday, eight to 10 people sustained primarily burns to hands due to fireworks explosions. 

Whenever there are injuries associated with fireworks, local fire departments, EMS and hospitals are required to document and submit the information to the Maine Fire Marshal’s Office.

Devon Staples, 22, of Calais had been killed July 4 in a backyard where he and his friends were setting off the fireworks.  

Investigators said Staples had placed the fireworks mortar tube on top of  his head and  set it off, according to a news release from Maine Office of Public Safety.  

The explosion caused a  fatal head injury and he died instantly about 10 p.m.  Staples had been drinking with friends at one of their homes on South Street, according to the release.  

It was the first death attributed to fireworks since fireworks became legal in Maine a couple of years ago.

Reach Editorial Director Lynda Clancy at lyndaclancy@penbaypilot.com; 207-706-6657