Maryville, Tennessee man died when fireworks exploded in his chest, authorities say

BLOUNT COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE) – A Maryville man has died after a firework he was holding exploded in his chest, the Blount County Sheriff’s Office said.

Officers said they were called to an address along Evergreen Farms Lane between Binfield and Greenback around 10 p.m. on Thursday, July 4, for a report of an unconscious person.

When authorities arrived, they found three people performing CPR on a man. According to a sheriff’s office report, officers took over CPR and applied pressure to a wound on the man’s chest until paramedics arrived.

The man, identified as Matthew Sellars, 35, of Maryville, was taken to Blount Memorial Hospital. He was pronounced dead at around 10:30 p.m.

A witness at the scene told police that he, Sellars and another person were setting off fireworks they were holding when a firework Sellars was holding exploded in his chest.

The sheriff’s office said no other people were injured in the incident.