Homemade firework explodes in man’s hand in Lake Zurich

A 19-year-old former Lake County resident was hospitalized earlier this week after a homemade firework exploded in his hand outside a Lake Zurich home, authorities said Friday.

The man, who now resides in Tennessee but was back visiting the area, was taken to Centegra Hospital — McHenry after the explosion and has since been released, said Lt. Christopher Thompson of the Lake County Sheriff’s Department.

He could not be reached for comment or a status of his hand. Authorities said the man suffered serious hand and finger injuries.

Thompson said rescue and police units were summoned at 10:20 p.m. Tuesday to garage on the 25000 block of North Ellrie Terrace on a call claiming someone was injured making a homemade firecracker.

During the investigation, Thompson said, police learned the victim was packing gun powder into an empty cartridge of carbon dioxide, such as those used with air guns, while trying to make a “cricket” explosive.

Thompson said it’s unclear at this time what caused the homemade firework to explode.

Three others were in the garage when the explosive went off, but no one else was injured.

Thompson said the man has not been charged, but the explosion remains under investigation.