The State Fire Marshal’s Office seized an illegal shipment of fireworks last week at a Des Moines moving and storage facility.
An employee at the moving and storage facility notified the South King Fire and Rescue Fire Marshal that a container at the facility likely contained fireworks, according to a State Fire Marshal’s Office media release.
Federal, state and local agencies were notified and convened at the storage facility on Tuesday, Sept. 27, to investigate. Their search resulted in 131 boxes and more than two tons of consumer fireworks—including artillery shells, cakes, fountains, and aerials—with an estimated wholesale value of more than $9,000.
The containers were being shipped from Olympia to Honolulu, where these types of consumer fireworks are illegal and require a fireworks import license. All shipments of hazardous materials, including fireworks, requires a bill of lading and proper placarding to be placed on the shipping container—this shipment had neither, according to fire officials.
“At this time the investigation is still ongoing and charges in connection with this investigation are still pending,” said State Fire Marshal Charles Duffy.
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