Pennsylvania Boy Loses Hand, Leg From Fireworks, Police Say

LATROBE, Pa. – Police say a western Pennsylvania boy who lost his right hand and leg in an explosion has acknowledged playing with a powerful firework, and was not targeted or threatened as he first told police.

Latrobe police say the 17-year-old boy was playing with a large firecracker like an M-80 in his grandmother's house Jan. 10.

The boy kept lighting and extinguishing the fuse and when it wouldn't go out, police say he put the firework between his thighs and covered it with his right hand in hopes of muffling the explosion.

The boy remains in a Pittsburgh hospital with severe injuries to his left leg.

Police say the boy first told them the explosive blew up in a backpack after he was the target of threats from unknown people.