Fireworks explode during theft in Wake Forest

Firefighters said the fireworks were stored in a container on a tractor-trailer parked in a wooded area off of Wait Avenue. They said someone broke into the truck and was stealing fireworks when one of the boxes exploded around 10:15 a.m. The explosion happened outside of the truck. 

No one was injured. 

Nearby residents said the explosion sounded like a rock slide.

"It was like a dump truck dumping a load of gravel in my yard," resident Jeffery Johnson said.

Fire officials said the person broke into the truck by making a hole in the roof of the trailer.

ATF agents said the thief might have taken some fireworks, which are for commercial use and more dangerous than regular fireworks. They believe juveniles might be involved in the theft.

Authorities are going door-to-door in nearby areas asking for residents to contact police if they see anything suspicious.

The fireworks were stored in a container also known as a fireworks magazine, town officials said. 

A fireworks magazine is an ATF-approved container for storing display fireworks, such as those used in shows, generally under the supervision of a trained pyrotechnician, town officials said. 

Town officials say the permit holder for the truck is S and W Productions out of Wake Forest.