HuntingFishing4x4.com

http://www.witn.com/home/headlines/49925577.html Ocracoke, NC -- Three people are now confirmed dead after fireworks being set up for an Independence Day celebration on Ocracoke Island blew up.

Officials say all of the victims were from Melrose Pyrotechnics in South Carolina, and they were setting up the island's fireworks when the explosion happened about 9:15 a.m.

Hyde County spokesperson Jamie Tunnell tells WITN News that one person died at the scene, one died at Pitt County Memorial Hospital and another died at the burn center in Chapel Hill.

Tunnell says the state EMS, SBI, Bomb Squad, and ATF were all on the scene. Tunnell was unsure if they were conducting a joint investigation or separate one. She did say that all the aforementioned agencies will be on the scene Sunday morning.

Tunnell declined to give WITN names of the victims saying not all next of kin was notified. She also said that the company Melrose Pyrotechnics will probably be the one to release the names.

The ferries, which were once shut down because of the explosion, are now up and running back on schedule according to Tunnell.

Original Story

Ocracoke, NC -- WITN News has confirmed with sheriff's officials there has been an explosion on Ocracoke Island in Hyde County.

An 18-wheeler loaded with fireworks exploded near the ferry docks.

Multiple reports say two people are dead, and three others are critically injured.

Officials say they are all from Melrose Pyrotechnics in South Carolina, and they were setting up the Island's fireworks tonight when the explosion happened about 9:15 a.m.

Melrose officials tell WITN-TV "a company representative is in route to the site, to work with local authorities in their investigation. We do not have any further information at this time. We will report any details as we receive them."

Jane Hodges, Hyde County interim Emergency Manager, released an update shortly after noon:

It reports:

"There was an immediate response from Hyde County Sheriff’s Department, the National Park Service, NC DOT Ferry Division, Marine Fisheries, and volunteers to handle the crowds and assess the situation. Fortunately, there were three doctors including a medical examiner and volunteer nurses who responded immediately along with the staff of the Ocracoke Health Center and Hyde County EMS.

Representatives from Dare, Pender, and Carteret counties were on the scene as well.

Two helicopters with East Care, from Pitt Memorial Hospital in Greenville, NC, and one from Dare Medflight, responded to transfer the critically injured for further care.

Two volunteer firemen were transported by Dare Co. EMS to be treated for inhalation and exhaustion.

The Hatteras Island ferry was temporarily suspended but is now open and Highway 12 is clear. The south dock on Ocracoke island for the Swan Quarter and Cedar Island ferries remains shut down until the scene is cleared to ensure safety.

Representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) Company will be on site this afternoon to evaluate the scene.

There will be another release when more information is available."

Gwen Myers of Washington, who used to work at WITN, is at Ocracoke this holiday weekend.

"The explosion happened near the ferry docks," Myers said. "It was unreal. There was a huge boom. The explosion peeled the top off the 18-wheeler truck."

Myers said even hours after the explosion you can still smell fireworks in the air. She said it’s believed all those hurt are employees of the company putting on the fireworks.

Click here for Carolina Camera to submit or look at Ocracoke explosion photos.

Ocracoke's fireworks display was scheduled for 9 p.m. tonight.

The more recent census numbers show Ocracoke Island with a population of less than 800. In the summer months, thousands of people travel to the Hyde County Island by ferry to visit.