An explosion ahead of a Fourth of July celebration at a Cape Cod country club has prompted officials to issue safety warnings around fireworks.

Officials say preliminary findings from Wednesday’s fireworks explosion at The Club at New Seabury in Mashpee indicate that it was “accidental in nature.” Eight people suffered injuries during the incident.

“Two people and one dog were transported for medical care,” the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services said in a statement on Thursday, “and we are deeply relieved that they are all recovering thanks to Mashpee firefighters’ immediate on-scene response.”

“The display was properly permitted, licensed, and inspected, and all potential factors identified so far are accidental in nature,” the department added.

The Mashpee Police Department, on behalf of the Cape Cod Chiefs Association, sent out a safety message, outlining steps for people to take while celebrating the holiday. The first dealt with fireworks.

“Fireworks are dangerous and are illegal in Massachusetts,” the message stated. “Possession or use will result in confiscation and may lead to criminal charges. Please leave fireworks to the professionals.”

Mashpee Deputy Fire Chief Brenden M. Ramsey stated in a release that multiple explosions occurred during the setup for the annual Fourth of July fireworks display, which was scheduled for 9 p.m. Wednesday.

Crew members for the company behind the show, Pyrotecnico, had been assembling the display when it ignited several other cases on the ground, seriously injuring a technician who had to be airlifted to Rhode Island Hospital.

Pyrotecnico canceled its holiday display scheduled for Thursday night at another country club in Mashpee.

Of the 220 fireworks-related visits to Massachusetts emergency departments from 2020 to 2024, 111 took place during June and July. These months also accounted for 366 of the 559 fires and explosions caused by fireworks during the same five-year period.

“Here in Massachusetts, fireworks have caused over 500 fires and explosions, more than 200 emergency department visits, and nearly $1 million in damages over the past five years,” State Fire Marshal Jon Davine said in a statement. “They are illegal without licensing and certification because they are so dangerous. Please don’t risk a fire, an injury, or a day in court – leave fireworks to the professionals.”

Illegal fireworks account for most of the damage seen in the Bay State, causing 559 fires and explosions, and 220 serious injuries in the past five years.

Massachusetts law requires police to seize any illegal fireworks they encounter. This includes fireworks that were purchased lawfully in another state and transported to Massachusetts.

People who use or possess them illegally are also subject to a fine, while the unlawful sale of fireworks is an arrestable offense that carries potential jail time.

Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan is pushing to strengthen the laws at the State House. A bill she is behind would penalize the reckless use of fireworks or explosive material that causes personal injury or property damage and broadens the sentencing options to correspond to the value of the damage caused.

“As we celebrate Independence Day with fireworks & community gatherings, let’s not forget that one moment of recklessness can lead to devastating lifelong consequences,” the DA stated in a social media post on Wednesday.

“Every year, we see injuries and property damage related to the illegal or unsupervised use of fireworks,” she added. “These events aren’t just tragic — they highlight the urgent need to strengthen our fire safety laws.”