In a startling incident at the LaVell Edwards Stadium on Brigham Young University's campus, malfunctioning fireworks veered into the stands during the Stadium of Fire show, leaving up to six people injured and requiring hospitalization. The mishap occurred during the opening ceremonies of Provo's annual Freedom Festival on the Fourth of July.

According to Emory Cook, the spokesperson for the Freedom Festival, the accident prompted organizers to halt the show for approximately 15 minutes to provide medical attention to the injured audience members. While the specific number of individuals struck by the errant fireworks and the severity of their injuries are currently unknown, Cook confirmed that six people were taken to the hospital.

The cause of the malfunction, involving fireworks launched inside the stadium as several jets flew overhead, is currently under investigation by local authorities. Videos circulated on social media depicted fireworks breaking away from the cluster and landing among spectators in the stands, leading to concerns and heightened tensions among the approximately 45,000 attendees.

Cook stated, "Definitely a firework malfunctioned, but we're still trying to figure out how that happened." The relatively small fireworks that malfunctioned inside the stadium were not to be confused with the larger pyrotechnics used during the show's finale, which are typically kept outside the stadium premises, as explained by Cook.

Provo Fire and Rescue spokesperson Jeanie Atherton explained that fire department personnel and paramedics were already present at the scene when the show began, enabling them to reach the injured individuals within a minute. While Atherton confirmed that her department transported only one person to the hospital, she acknowledged that other victims may have sought medical attention through personal vehicles.

Despite the incident, the BYU Police Department allowed organizers to continue with the event, which featured a performance by the Jonas Brothers, as reported by KUTV. The quick response from both emergency personnel and the cooperation of the authorities and event organizers helped ensure the safety of the audience.

As investigations into the fireworks malfunction continue, the Provo community and event organizers are reassessing safety measures and protocols to ensure the incident does not repeat in future celebrations.