A Fourth of July block party in Summerville, South Carolina, ended in tragedy when Allen Ray McGrew, 41, placed a lit firework on his head, leading to a fatal explosion. According to the Dorchester County Sheriff's Office, the incident occurred on Thursday night, resulting in severe head injuries for McGrew.
Witnesses reported that McGrew was dressed in a festive Uncle Sam costume and appeared to be enjoying the Independence Day celebrations. His wife, Paige McGrew, shared that her husband had been drinking alcohol since 6 pm and initially thought he was just playfully holding the firework over his top hat.
"He was holding this firework over his top hat," Paige McGrew recounted. "I thought he was just showboating before he set it on the ground. I didn't realize he had already lit it." Despite her urging him to remove the firework, it exploded before he could react, leading to his death at the scene.
Paige McGrew described her husband as a "genuine, good person" who lived life to the fullest, working hard and playing hard. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with fireworks, particularly when alcohol is involved.
