BRETTON WOODS, NH – Sounds like a technician is going to be in a whole lot of trouble – at least that was the take-away from someone who answered the phone Sunday at an Atlas Fireworks retail location, when asked about an incident reported Saturday.
State police found an Atlas box truck loaded with explosive fireworks, left running and unattended, and was an act of negligence.
The employee, who said he was not able to comment officially, referred questions to Atlas Fireworks corporate office, but not before adding, “No matter how much training you do, people cut corners and, God forbid…”
State Police are investigating the matter, which they are taking seriously. According to Troop G, Twin Mountain Fire Chief Christopher Olsen arrived at the historic hotel at 10 a.m. on March 10 to meet with an Atlas representative to coordinate a fireworks show at the resort. Olsen instead found a box truck, unlocked and engine running, loaded with fireworks. The truck, which is required by law to have placards on it stating it’s transporting hazardous material were absent.
Chief Olsen contacted Fire Investigator Christopher Wyman of the New Hampshire Fire Marshal’s Office who, along with Sgt. Carl Huddleston and Trooper First Class Sharron Kopp of the New Hampshire State Police Troop G – Motor Carrier Enforcement Unit, responded to the scene to conduct an investigation.
That wasn’t the worst of it.
Not only was the truck not labeled for explosives, but the company representative who drove the truck to the hotel had apparently left the hotel grounds.
State police say the following regulations were violated:
- Attendance and Surveillance of Motor Vehicles, Containing 1.3G Explosives
- No Drivers Record of Duty Status
- Vehicle Not Placarded As Required
An attempt by Manchester Ink Link to contact the company’s corporate office Sunday was unsuccessful, as the voice mailbox was “full,” according to the automated service.
If anyone has any further information on this incident they are asked to contact Sgt. Huddleston at 603-223- 8778 or at carl.huddleston@dos.nh.gov.
