Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane announced today that her office has taken action against five businesses throughout the Commonwealth that allegedly sold fireworks to Pennsylvania consumers in violation of the law.
Undercover purchases as part of a statewide sweep conducted by agents of the Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection uncovered five Pennsylvania businesses allegedly violating the Pennsylvania Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law by failing to follow the requirements of Pennsylvania’s fireworks restrictions.
“These laws were designed to ensure the safety of consumers,” Attorney General Kane said. “Our actions today underscore my commitment to the consumers of Pennsylvania.”
The Bureau of Consumer Protection filed a lawsuit against A-Rocket Fireworks, 1 Constitution Blvd., Aliquippa, Beaver County. The action alleges that A-Rocket Fireworks bypassed the legal requirements of the Fireworks Law including the official municipal permit process and allegedly issued its own “shooting permits” so it could sell consumer fireworks illegally to Pennsylvania consumers. The suit seeks injunctive relief and civil penalties for each violation of the law.
In addition, settlements were filed against four companies that have agreed to pay a total of $14,000 in civil penalties and $8,000 in costs of investigation, along with injunctive relief that will restrict the manner in which they sell fireworks in the future:
- Sky King Fireworks of Erie Inc., 12261 E. Main Road, Erie County;
- F & V Fireworks LLC, 2212 State Line Road, Enon Valley, Lawrence County;
- Fireworks by Tony Donnora Inc., 250 Fireworks Lane, Farr Hollow Road, SR 3001, Forkston Township, Wyoming County; and
- Pizza Paul’s Fireworks LLC, 56 Dorchester Drive, Dallas, Luzerne County.
Under Pennsylvania’s Fireworks Law, Pennsylvania consumers must have a valid permit from the local government where they intend to display the fireworks. This must specify where and when the fireworks can be displayed.
As part of the permit process, the law states that a local government is to designate its fire chief or other person to ensure, after proper inspection, that the fireworks will be handled by a competent operator so the use of the fireworks is not a danger to people or property.
