Posted on 07/06/2026 7:07:25 AM PDT by BenLurkin
A South Carolina family is remembering the final words of a father who was killed in a devastating fireworks accident during a 4th of July celebration.
Allen Ray McGrew died in July 2024 after a firework exploded while he was celebrating at a neighborhood block party in Summerville, located in Dorchester County.
The 41-year-old had spent the evening celebrating what his family described as his favorite holiday. Videos later shared online showed him dancing, smoking a cigarette, and wearing an Uncle Sam costume while friends and relatives laughed nearby.
Speaking to The Post and Courier, Allen’s wife Paige said he appeared to be preparing to place a large firework on the ground after holding it above his top hat.
“I thought he was just showboating before he set it on the ground. I didn’t realize he had already lit it,”
According to a police report obtained by WCBD, Paige yelled for her husband to stop, but the firework detonated before he could react. He collapsed immediately after suffering catastrophic head injuries...
Authorities said the injuries likely killed him instantly, and he was pronounced dead at the scene at 11:10 p.m. The incident happened at around 10:30 p.m.
The family also pushed back against online criticism following the accident, saying Allen should not be remembered as a “drunken fool.”
(Excerpt) Read more at msn.com ...
“injuries likely killed him instantly”, yet he had some last words? Even “OUCH !!” would’ve been impossible.
He surely went out with a bang.
My sons were at this event.
My husband and I were on a vacation.
They called us before the news told us.
Grateful they were not hurt.
FYI, we moved back to Texas!
Overview of the Fireworks Explosion
A significant incident occurred during a Fourth of July fireworks display at Rancho Santa Susana Community Park, where a malfunctioning launching platform led to an explosion that injured numerous spectators.
Details of the Incident
Date and Location
Date: July 4, 2013
Location: Rancho Santa Susana Community Park, Simi Valley, California
Finally. After 22 posts. I wondered when his name would show up. And well-deserved at that.
It should read, “don’t detonate fireworks on top of your head. Always detonate fireworks on top of someone else’s head.”
I am more concerned about idiots causing property damage and fires to others as well.
I couldn’t agree more.
Alcohol and gunpowder doesn’t mix well
Because their brain has pumped their bloodstream full of adrenaline to cope with the shock. May as well be drunk when the reporter sticks a camera in their face and says, "How do you feel?"—the single most annoying question in all television, for all time.
At any given time, 49% of the people are below average.
You can count on it
Empathy such a rare commodity here
As usual
I always wonder how many are tough
Tested
Best I can do is never roast chestnuts in a microwave. I still find specks on the ceiling.
Time to trot out this “FR classic” photo of Al Gore:
“Best I can do is never roast chestnuts in a microwave. I still find specks on the ceiling”
in that case, see what happens when you put shelled hard boiled eggs in the microwave ... [disclaimer: actually, not recommended]
It's the only time of year when the smartass cat will let you hold it while it trembles.
It’s almost as if some FR thread hosts have stock in the websites they link to. It’s common knowledge public statements are copywritten and can be reposted. But they still post in this fashion... deliberately leave out the public statement so you MUST click into the link and go to the source page. I will never do it!! Precisely because its deliberate. ...for what ever reason...
I've heard of lighting farts, but that right there is ridiculous.

Dig the girlfriend's expression... clearly, they're not married yet.
He died doing what he loved.
But why would you? They are already cooked. Serious question.
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