BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, Wash. (MCT) — The Grand Old Fourth celebration is always a big deal in this small island community near Seattle, featuring a pancake breakfast, a parade with community service groups and kids’ soccer teams, and of course the annual fireworks show over Eagle Harbor — a show that this year, nine days before the big event, went up in smoke.

Literally. Fireworks for Bainbridge Island’s Fourth of July show, along with fireworks for neighboring Poulsbo’s show, were packed, organized and stored ready to go in a container at an auto wrecking yard a few miles away. Then, authorities say, the operator of the wrecking yard decided to go outside and try out his new rifle.