On Ocracoke Island, a lorry transporting fireworks exploded around 9 am on a parking lot for an unknown reason, while 5 employees were unloading contents in preparation for the Independence Day (July 4th) festivities and fireworks show (a planned 40-minute session, i.e. featuring several hundred kg of active material). The explosion, heard several kilometres around, killed 1 employee on the spot and 3 others subsequent to their injuries. The 5th employee was severely burned and could not recall any warning signs prior to the blast.

This explosion also caused a grass fire, which was extinguished by fire-fighters, two of whom had to be hospitalised for smoke intoxication. An investigation was conducted in order to determine the cause.