NC lawmakers to consider fireworks law changes

RALEIGH -- The North Carolina Legislature soon will consider changing the law following a Fourth of July fireworks explosion on the Outer Banks that left four workers dead.

Senate leader Marc Basnight's office said late Thursday legislation will be unveiled next week designed to improve safety standards for the handling and transport of large amounts of
fireworks.

The bill is still being drafted, but it would make clear who can handle the pyrotechnics and direct the state fire marshal to provide oversight.

Basnight's office said current law says "experts" are responsible for the fireworks but provides no details on what constitutes an expert.

Workers for a South Carolina company unloading fireworks from a truck died after a single blast at an Ocracoke Island marina. A fifth worker survived.

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