ARTHUR - A state agency is investigating a fireworks accident that injured some spectators Saturday night.

Arthur Police Chief Michael Goodman said one of the larger explosive shells came down and landed in the "safety zone" between the crowd and firing area and went off on the ground near the end of the Arthur fireworks show Saturday night.

He said the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Division of Mines and Minerals is heading the investigation. He said some people were taken away by Arthur ambulance, but he didn't know how many.

Arthur fireworks coordinator Mark Jones was told by emergency medical personnel that at least three people suffered "minor burns" from the wayward shell, possibly a 16-inch shell, the largest of the fireworks fired off at the show.

"We fire thousands of shells, and this one comes down and goes off," Jones said.

A Division of Mines and Minerals investigator is conducting interviews to "pare down information" on the incident, IDNR spokesman Chris McCloud said Monday morning.

He said the division has investigative authority over detonation and explosive incidents within the state through its regulatory duties for the mining industry.

The Arthur fireworks show annually draws one of the largest crowds, numbering in the tens of thousands, in this part of the state. It features a wide variety of shells and pyrotechnics in the community park near the high school.

"We really regret this. We don't want anybody to get hurt at this. Out of the 12 years of this show, this is the first time we've had injuries," said Jones of the event presented by AM Pyrotechnics of Buffalo, Mo., and the Niagara Falls Fellows.

He did not discount high humidity as a factor, noting that can sometimes cause a shell to not arch as high in the sky. He confirmed the injuries occurred near the finale Saturday in a safe viewing zone near the tractor-pulling track.

This is the last year for the use of 16-inch shells, which are no longer available due to fireworks regulations.

The duration of the state probe will depend on how quickly the investigator can attain information on the incident, McCloud said. "We work as fast and accurately as we can on these incidents," he said.

Staff Writer Dave Fopay contributed to this story. hmeeker@jg-tc.com|238-6869