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Three injured in fireworks factory blast
JS Online ^ | Nov. 15, 2006 | DARRYL ENRIQUEZ

Posted on 11/15/2006 2:01:47 PM PST by Last Dakotan

All three victims injured in a fire today at the Bartolotta Fireworks factory west of Waukesha were members of the Bartolotta family, a family member said. The wounded factory workers were identified as Rocco Bartolotta, 22; Dominic Bartolotta, 30; and Anthony Bartolotta, 32. A family spokeswoman at Columbia St. Mary's Hospital in Milwaukee said Rocco and Dominic were being treated at St. Mary's, while Anthony was treated at Waukesha Memorial Hospital and released. The spokeswoman, Donna Bartolotta, the mother of Rocco Bartolotta, said all three victims suffered second- and third-degree burns in the fire. Investigators continued their search for the cause of the fire and possible explosion. The last notable explosion occurred at the factory in May 1991, killing three people, including John Bartolotta, son of then-company owner Sam Bartolotta.

(Excerpt) Read more at jsonline.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: fireworks
As one who works in one, I understand the dynamics of family and business, but need it be a suicide pact?
1 posted on 11/15/2006 2:01:51 PM PST by Last Dakotan
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To: Last Dakotan

Big badda BOOM **ping**


2 posted on 11/15/2006 2:05:23 PM PST by Bean Counter (Stout Hearts!!)
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To: Bean Counter

Also members of the Flying Bartolla Circus Act.


3 posted on 11/15/2006 2:06:23 PM PST by MeanWestTexan (Kol Hakavod Lezahal)
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To: Last Dakotan

Working there must be a real blast.


4 posted on 11/15/2006 2:07:36 PM PST by USFRIENDINVICTORIA
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To: Last Dakotan

I may invest in one - with the Dims in charge now, the only thing we may have left to defend ourselves with will be fireworks.


5 posted on 11/15/2006 2:08:02 PM PST by fishergirl (Proud mom of an Iraq war veteran - to all our veterans Thank You and God Bless)
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To: MeanWestTexan
It's exactly like the flyers.

Fireworks making is a family business, and everybody is aware of the risks but accepts them as part of the job.

My hubby used to work for the Zambellis, another famous fireworks family.

6 posted on 11/15/2006 2:16:28 PM PST by AnAmericanMother ((Ministrix of Ye Chase, TTGC Ladies' Auxiliary (recess appointment)))
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To: Last Dakotan

Enough joking around! Will this affect my ability to get fireworks for New Years??????


7 posted on 11/15/2006 2:28:26 PM PST by ConservaTexan (February 6, 1911)
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To: Last Dakotan

Didn't the Bartolotta family also blow themselves up a couple of years ago?


8 posted on 11/15/2006 2:41:36 PM PST by An American In Dairyland
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To: ConservaTexan

This company makes fireworks for their own displays -- nothing you would shoot off in your back yard. They put on spectacular shows.

Their biggest rocket is 16 inches in diameter -- the same diameter as a battleship shell.

If you do shoot off 16 inch fireworks rockets in your back yard on New Years, let me know. I'll come down to hold your beer and watch.


9 posted on 11/15/2006 2:57:19 PM PST by MediaMole (9/11 - We have already forgotten.)
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To: MediaMole
If you do shoot off 16 inch fireworks rockets in your back yard on New Years, let me know. I'll come down to hold your beer and watch.

If I could get my hands on one, I am just Redneck enough to set it off!

10 posted on 11/15/2006 3:02:34 PM PST by ConservaTexan (February 6, 1911)
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To: MediaMole

I did some work for the Grucci Bros. of Long Island back in the 90's. They used to do the Macy's Fireworks show in NYC. They were showing me what they do, explaining the dangers, etc. They told me that making the shells which give off a blue color were the most dangerous to make. I thought that was interesting, but if you watch a fireworks show, you don't see many blue colors.


11 posted on 11/15/2006 3:11:21 PM PST by Big E
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To: Big E; MediaMole
It's hard to get a real "true blue" in a star. The old formulas with potassium chlorate/ paris green were moderately dangerous, but not nearly as dangerous as some of the whistles or electric spreaders. The new potassium perchlorate formula is a lot less scary to use.

Essentially the copper compounds are what give you the blue, but it's a greenish sort of blue.

12 posted on 11/15/2006 6:05:50 PM PST by AnAmericanMother ((Ministrix of Ye Chase, TTGC Ladies' Auxiliary (recess appointment)))
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