Man loses part of his leg in fireworks accident

LEONIA, N.J. (AP) -- A northern New Jersey man blew off part of his left leg in a July Fourth fireworks accident.

Leonia police tell The Record that the 52-year-old borough resident also suffered a compound fracture in that leg and serious burns to his right leg around 9:30 p.m. Saturday.

Authorities say the man lit a large firework but then dropped it. When the device detonated, it threw him back about four feet and blew off "a large piece" of his left leg below the knee.

Details about the firework were not disclosed, but witnesses described it as the size of a tennis ball.

The man's name has not been disclosed. He was being treated at a hospital, and authorities said he could face criminal charges because fireworks are illegal in New Jersey.

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