Few fireworks-related injuries, arrests reported in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh first responders treated 33 people who suffered mostly minor injuries in the Downtown area during the city’s annual fireworks celebration in Point State Park.

The majority of those treated suffered injuries when someone “reportedly set off firecrackers during the official display, causing groups of people to run from the area, believing shots had been fired,” Public Safety spokeswoman Cara Cruz said Wednesday.

Four people were hospitalized, including a 70-year-old woman who suffered a head injury, Cruz said.

Three people also were treated for minor injuries when a firecracker was set off near Wyndham Hotel, which is adjacent to the state park, Cruz said.

No arrests were reported in either incident.

Hospitals and the city’s burn units reported a typical number of injuries Tuesday — and none for fireworks-related accidents.

Allegheny Health Network’s emergency department at West Penn Hospital and the West Penn Burn Center did not treat any fireworks-related injuries or burns Tuesday, spokesman Bill Toland said.

The Bloomfield-based hospital did treat “multiple patients with grilling or campfire/fire pit accidents,” Toland said.

“Adult supervision of children and pets around grills and firepits can also reduce the risk of injuries, while ensuring your celebrations remain fun and memorable for your friends and family,” said Dr. Ariel Aballay, medical director of the West Penn Hospital burn unit.

AHN treated five burn injuries on Independence Day in 2022 and 2021, and seven in 2020, Toland said.

UPMC Mercy’s emergency department, where the health system would filter burn victims, treated six people Tuesday but reported no admissions related to fireworks, spokesman Rick Pietzak said.

State police said they investigated 668 motor-vehicle crashes from June 30 through Tuesday, up from 649 during the holiday period last year. Three people died and 194 were injured in the crashes, police said.

Police said alcohol was a factor in 59 of the nonfatal crashes.

Troopers made 505 DUI arrests and issued nearly 24,000 traffic citations during the holiday travel period.

Pittsburgh police detectives made two drug-related arrests Tuesday, Cruz said. Officers also issued four nontraffic citations for disorderly conduct, harassment and fighting.

“There were larger-than-usual crowds and police, fire, EMS and the Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security were readily accessible and available to assist with emergencies and incidents,” Public Safety Director Lee Schmidt said in a statement.