An investigation by the Office of the State Fire Marshal Bomb Squad has resulted in the suspension of a man licensed to shoot fireworks in Maryland.
Darryl Wayne Stewart, 52 of Woodbridge, VA, was suspended when the investigation revealed an application to shoot fireworks at an upcoming display on the Potomac River had been falsified, deputy state fire marshals report.
All portions of the Potomac River fall within the geographic boundary of Maryland.
The display, scheduled for July 14, sponsored by “Tim’s 2” restaurant in Fairview Beach, VA, will be allowed to continue once another licensed shooter is obtained. The investigation has revealed the restaurant had no role in the falsification of the application.
Portions of the application requiring the fireworks site be approved by the local fire department were found to have been falsified by attaching a photocopy of a site approval from a previous year purported to represent a site approval for this event. The application was submitted by Stewart to administrative staff who quickly flagged the application for follow-up investigation by Bomb Squad Deputy State Fire Marshals.
The suspension remains in effect until the investigation has been completed.
“The possession and proper use of explosives is crucial to the wellbeing of our citizens and enforcing all aspects of Maryland’s explosive laws helps ensure an acceptable level of safety,” said State Fire Marshal William E. Barnard.
The Office of the State Fire Marshal Bomb Squad oversees all aspects of licensing for explosives and fireworks in Maryland including the testing for permitting individuals to use explosives within the State.