A man is charged after a weekend incident in which a fireworks tent caught fire, causing the pyrotechnics in it to explode.

The incident happened outside of Shorty's Bar in Chester and startled an entire neighborhood.

Russell Kohser, of Monaca, Pa., faces two misdemeanor charges: unlawful possession and use of fireworks, and possession and storage of illegal fireworks.

Both charges were filed after an investigation by the West Virginia State Fire Marshal's Office.

A criminal complaint states Kohser admitted to the crimes, which led to warrants being filed on Tuesday.

Hancock County Sheriff Mike White said, "The rules are in place for good reason. -- No. 1, for a fire like this. For whatever reason, whether it was accidental or accidentally on purpose it's a very dangerous situation for the community. It affected traffic. It affected the other citizens in the county and people going through our county, and it puts our fire department at risk."

White said even small fireworks in the hands of minors or adults run the risk of person injury or starting fires.

"I just don't think it's worth the risk for people to even possess them. I know they're pretty common this year with the Fourth of July season coming up," White said.

Kohser remains free on $1,000 bond and is scheduled to be back in court on Aug. 7 in front of Magistrate Judge Michael Powell.

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