FT WALTON FIREWORKS SHOW MALFUNCTION

Attendees at the fireworks show at the Fort Walton Beach Landing Park on Wednesday got more than they expected. Buddy Carter, with the company that put on the show, said a fireworks shell exploded in its mortar, causing it to not reach its expected altitude. Nearby boats at the time of the malfunction retreated to a safe distance, but many spectators thought the low-flying fireworks was part of the 15-minute, $23,000 production. Carter said the two technicians on the barge during the display were not injured.