PADUCAH — At approximately 12:42 p.m. on Monday, June 16, deputies with the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office responded to a construction site at Lone Oak First Baptist Church. According to MCSO, Paducah 911 had received calls reporting an explosion and injuries to at least two people. Upon their arrival, deputies — along with personnel from Lone Oak Fire Department and Mercy Regional Ambulance Service — administered life-saving treatment to the two injured males. An investigation was launched, and after observing the scene, speaking with witnesses, and speaking to one of the victims, detectives determined that the explosion was not workplace related. According to MCSO assistance from the Paducah Police Bomb Squad, the ATF, and an explosive detecting K9 from KSP was requested.

According to MCSO, as the investigation continued it began to appear that the explosion was not intentional but had been caused by fireworks being used in a manner in which they are not designed.

Investigators believe that a “sparkler bomb” was made by one worker and unwittingly cut by another coworker, causing the explosion.

MCSO states that the investigation is ongoing — the department thanks the workers of A&K Construction who assisted in rendering first aid, Lone Oak Baptist Church for their assistance, as well as Paducah Police Department, Lone Oak Fire Department, Mercy Regional Ambulance, McCracken County Emergency Management, KSP, ATF, and the FBI.