Salinas burn survivor speaks out about dangers of illegal fireworks

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV): When the Fourth of July comes around, it's a nightmare for some.

For Diego Cardenas, Independence Day brings back a horrific moment in 2020 where he lost three fingers handling an illegal firework.

"I went with some friends, to basically set off some fireworks, you know, just have a good time and what not," said Salinas resident Diego Cardenas. "And, well, one thing led to another, and, I ended up holding a firework and it went off of my hand, and I ended up, malfunctioning."

The incident still weighs heavy on Cardenas mind years later.

"My hand was just gushing blood and just going everywhere, basically." said Cardenas.

Cardenas said paramedics took him to Natividad hospital, then he was airlifted to a hospital in San Francisco. That's where he was hospitalized for 20 days, and​ underwent 6 surgeries on his hand.

Something similar to Cardenas' story happened earlier this week. The Salinas Fire Department said a man lost his hand and suffered injuries to his face after using illegal fireworks.

And for Cardenas, he said losing three fingers has not been easy.

"It took a lot of adjusting, definitely," said Cardenas. "Especially, since it was my dominant hand, how to switch over to learn how to write with my left."

Cardenas hopes his story will bring awareness to why it's important for people not to light up illegal fireworks.

"Just because people are going to still use fireworks, it's just better that they use it in a safe manner, or they're just careful when they do use it." said Cardenas.

Salinas Fire said that people can be fined up to $1,250 per illegal firework and they encourage the community to report illegal fireworks by calling or texting 831-758-7475.