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Six people hospitalized after fireworks barge explodes on Lake Martin

A pontoon boat that law enforcement officials said had been modified to act as a fireworks launch barge exploded on Lake Martin during a July 4 fireworks show, injuring six people. The Tallapoosa County Sheriff's Office confirmed the explosion in the Blue Creek area. The incident happened at 9:14 p.m. and involved "unpermitted fireworks" and an onboard explosion that injured six individuals," said Capt. Jeremy Burkett, spokesman for the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. The explosion resulted in injuries to William C. Davis, 39, and Aaron L. Kovak, 49, who were both taken to the University of Alabama Birmingham (UAB) Hospital, and Alan J. Simmons, 31, who was taken to the Lake Martin Community Hospital in Dadeville for treatment, Burkett said. Johnathan R. Wilmarth, 43, Joshua A. Husted, 36, and Matthew Davila, 28, were also taken to local area hospitals for medical treatment, Burkett said. More: Interstate crash seriously injures six people in Autauga County The incident happened near the Kowaliga Basin in Blue Creek on Lake Martin. Troopers with ALEA's Marine Patrol Division responded to the scene and notified ALEA's State Bureau of Investigation Hazardous Device Unit along with Alabama Fire Marshal's Office, Burkett said. Special Agents with the Hazardous Device Unit and Deputy State Fire Marshals arrived on scene and were able to render the remaining unexploded fireworks safe, he said. ALEA's Marine Patrol Division and the Alabama Fire Marshal's Office have launched a joint investigation, with the Fire Marshal's Office serving as the lead investigating agency into the fireworks portion of the investigation. No other information about the incident was immediately released by law enforcement. This story was updated to add more information. Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Marty Roney at mroney@ To support his work, please subscribe to the Montgomery Advertiser. This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Fireworks barge explodes on Lake Martin