A Vesuvius fireball cannon is set off in Arthur, Illinois, in 2016 during a media demonstration on how the device ignites during a fireworks show. (Brandon Chew / Chicago Tribune)

       When two gasoline-fueled fireballs went off last weekend during the finale of the Dundee Township Park District’s fireworks display, it wasn’t the accident some in the audience thought.

       Although more commonly used for film or television stunts, fireballs are occasionally set off at fireworks shows, according to the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal. In order to use the effect, a special license must be obtained from the state.

       The Michigan company that set them off did not have that license, according to state records.

       RKM Fireworks employees lit the two cannons Sunday on a field behind Meadowdale Shopping Center. They went off correctly, and did not result in any injuries, the Carpentersville Fire Department said.

       “I have never seen a fireball ... it was new for me to see,” Dundee Township Park District Executive Director Dave Peterson said.

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       RKM provided all of the documents required to put on the show and, as far as they were aware, had met all of the requirements, Peterson said.

       “If there was no license to light off this firework, it would be a very big concern for us,” he said.

       RKM, responding via email, declined to comment.

       The state fire marshal’s office has different types of licenses for pyrotechnics, said Robert Wetzel, a state fire safety compliance manager.

       “It’s like a lot of things. There is a place for that type of effect and a place where it shouldn’t happen,” Wetzel said. These types of pyrotechnic devices are allowed in the state, “but only under a specific license by someone who’s qualified,” he said.

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       “We are aware of some people using it who shouldn’t be using it,” Wetzel said, and it’s a concern for his office.

       Flame Effect Licenses are not frequently authorized for fireworks shows, Wetzel said. More commonly, production companies seek them in order to do stunts for TV shows or movies, he said.

       “We would have to license the company to do flame effects and the individual too,” Wetzel said.

       The list of people and companies licensed for flame effects is available on the state’s website, he said. RKM is not on the list.

       Tammy Greco, Dundee Township Park District recreation manager, said they were aware that two fireballs would be part of the show.

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       “(The fire department) did a fire inspection Sunday at 3 p.m., approving everything,” Greco said. “It’s a very detailed process. It’s not like we allow a company to shoot some fireworks. All permits were submitted and approved. Everything is checked and approved.”

       Carpentersville Fire Department Chief John-Paul Schilling agreed with Greco’s assessment.

       “Everything they provided as part of their license checked out for us,” Schilling said.

       The company explained how the fireball display would work, he said. It’s something he’s seen done elsewhere, particularly in his home state of Ohio, where it’s a common part of fireworks show, he said.

       RKM is fully insured, Schilling said, and “I don’t think (the owner was) going outside his realm. ... Our understanding was he was licensed to do it.”

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       The village of Carpentersville partnered with the park district on the show but was not involved in hiring the fireworks company. Instead, it provided crowd control, road closures and police coverage, Greco said.

       However, village officials, including fire department personnel, attended meetings with the park district and approved all the permits, she said.

       Carpentersville’s village code states, “fireworks displays are only allowed by special permit from the fire officials. All displays shall comply with the requirements of the state fire marshal.”

       “It wasn’t a village-sponsored event,” said Ben Mason, director of Carpentersville’s community development department. The village had nothing to do with the RKM contract but they did review the application, which includes a certificate of liability insurance and a copy of the company’s license, he said.

       RKM, based in Edwardsburg, Michigan, was paid $24,999 for the display, according to a contract signed in May. It also received an additional $8,750 when the park district was forced to postpone the show from June 26 to June 27 because of the weather.

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       Wetzel said it’s ultimately up to local jurisdictions to make sure companies and employees are appropriately licensed, Wetzel said.

       RKM had 14 people working on the July 27 display, according to township documents. Lead operator, Tom Krusza, is licensed by the state of Illinois and had his license number on the paperwork. A second operator’s name also was on the document, but his license number was not provided.

       Of the 14, only Kursza and one other RKM employee are licensed to set off fireworks in Illinois, according to the state fire marshal’s website, which was updated last week. Neither is listed on the site as being licensed to do flame effects.

       Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.

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