Davagator
02-07-2005, 12:29 PM
OMAHA, Neb. -- Neighbors in southeast Omaha neighborhood were awakened Saturday by an explosion that blew out the windows of a home and sent two women to a hospital.
Police say the 3 a.m. explosion, near 16th and William streets, was caused when a commercial pyrotechnic device, similar to what is used at a professional fireworks show, detonated in an apartment. Also injured was Debra Resendiz, 47, who was treated and released from the hospital.
Officers say Machala Quinones, 27, was taken to the Nebraska Medical Center in critical condition.
Resendiz said Sunday that she's in pain, but she's going to be OK. Her friend, Quinones, is still in critical condition.
"It was pitch black and the only thing on fire was her," Resendiz said, recalling the blast.
Resendiz said Quinones brought over a large firework.
"She was joking around and said, 'What would you do if I lit it?' I turned around and the next thing I knew, it went black and exploded," Resendiz said.
Resendiz threw a blanket on her friend to put out the flames. She cut her own foot and needed eight stitches.
Her apartment has a lot of damage. There's a hole bedroom floor, the drywall is torn up and windows are blown out.
Resendiz said she's not sure where her friend got the firework.
Police say the 3 a.m. explosion, near 16th and William streets, was caused when a commercial pyrotechnic device, similar to what is used at a professional fireworks show, detonated in an apartment. Also injured was Debra Resendiz, 47, who was treated and released from the hospital.
Officers say Machala Quinones, 27, was taken to the Nebraska Medical Center in critical condition.
Resendiz said Sunday that she's in pain, but she's going to be OK. Her friend, Quinones, is still in critical condition.
"It was pitch black and the only thing on fire was her," Resendiz said, recalling the blast.
Resendiz said Quinones brought over a large firework.
"She was joking around and said, 'What would you do if I lit it?' I turned around and the next thing I knew, it went black and exploded," Resendiz said.
Resendiz threw a blanket on her friend to put out the flames. She cut her own foot and needed eight stitches.
Her apartment has a lot of damage. There's a hole bedroom floor, the drywall is torn up and windows are blown out.
Resendiz said she's not sure where her friend got the firework.