Published: May 25, 2008 12:12 am      

Explosion straining fireworks industry

CUMBERLAND — An explosion that destroyed more than 15,000 cases of fireworks and closed a shipping port in China has created a “perfect storm” and a “bloody mess.”

Many Fourth of July celebrations could face shortages and possibly be canceled. For those who don’t see any change this year, be prepared for shortages and the cancellation of several shows in the coming months.

It also will impact those big white tents you often see set up selling fireworks for backyard displays.

Word of a possible shortage hasn’t trickled down to local municipalities and fair organizers.

“No one in the industry has any doubt that a number of shows won’t occur,” Matt Sutcliffe, owner and chief executive officer of Premier Pyrotechnics Inc. based in Missouri, said. “Even those that do occur will be affected, if not this year, then next year.”

Sutcliffe has kept a finger on the problem since a few hours after the Feb. 13 incident in Sanshui in which fireworks exploded for more than 24 hours. His company has supplied fireworks for the Allegany County Fair & Ag Expo for a number of years.

The fair was one of several customers Premier kept on board and its summer show won’t be impacted this year.

Sutcliffe said he orders products about July 15 for the following year, with shipments arriving between December and March. Allegany’s product has been shipped and packaged.

Kevin Kamauf, Allegany County fair manager, said he isn’t worried because a contingency plan is in place.

With the success of last year’s laser show in conjunction with the fireworks, he said if it’s necessary, the show will go on with the lights only, which this year will include one aimed at the mountains behind the fairgrounds.

“The laser show by itself is very nice,” he said. “Each show is different and each show is themed and choreographed to a different style of music. ... It’s a great show by itself but the fireworks make it that much more spectacular.”

“I think we’re going to be OK,” said Kamauf, who also said the show costs about $17,000.

Mayor Jack Coburn of Lonaconing said to the best of his knowledge, the town’s fifth Fourth of July celebration is on tap. With several private donors contributing, the show will be in the range of $11,500.

The town uses Fireworks Productions of Maryland, and Coburn is confident that if any problems would arise, he’d be called.

“As far as I know, everything’s a go,” he said.

Diane Johnson, director of Cumberland’s Parks and Recreation Department, was optimistic, citing “no news is good news.” She expects to hear from the fireworks company Schaefer Pyrotechnics Inc. of Ronks, Pa., within the next week or so.

The city’s display brings thousands to Constitution Park for a patriotic performance by the Potomac Concert Band followed by $10,000 worth of fireworks, or more than 24,000 shells. Several sponsors contribute to the display.

At Premier, the company handles about 4,800 shows a year but this year more than 700 letters of regret were sent.

“China is the firework supplier to the world,” Sutcliffe said. “It’s estimated that 90 percent of all fireworks consumed in the world come from there.”

Sutcliffe said the situation started following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 and several changes within the industry.

The Feb. 13 explosion, which happened in the middle of the night for unknown reasons, only made matters worse, he said.

Sutcliffe said the International Fireworks Association, based in Hunan, China, estimates that 55 percent of the world’s consumption of fireworks ship from that port, a port that’s closed until it’s back in compliance.

The only outbound port open in China happens to be near the Summer Olympics venue. Explosives cannot be exported from there from mid-June through Oct. 1, he said.

Prices have increased 30 percent over the last year, increasing the problem.

Several organizations are working on a long-term solution, including the American Pyrotechnics Association, National Fireworks Association, International Fireworks Association, the Chinese government and the U.S. Department of Transportation, Sutcliffe said.

“The problem is there was no short-term, immediate fix,” he said, adding the hope is to “get it squared away for 2009, 2010.”

It isn’t only the Fourth of July that could be affected.

Sutcliffe said fairs, nightly shows at amusement parks such as Disney World as well as weddings and even New Year’s Eve could suffer.

Contact Maria Smith at msmith@times-news.com.