LIBERTY — One person is dead following a Saturday night explosion that investigators believe was caused by illegal fireworks.

Liberty fire Chief Doug Theobald confirmed that Justin Braun, 34, died as a result of the explosion.

Two other people — an unnamed man and a 4-year-old — suffered burns and were in critical condition at the time of being transported, according to Theobald.

Liberty fire crews were called just before 9:30 p.m. Saturday to a home at the corner of East Montrose Street and Northlawn Drive, which had a large gap in the front because of the explosion.

Theobald said a shift lieutenant was conducting a public service call at Walmart when he heard the explosion and immediately contacted people at the fire station to report a structure fire. He said the lieutenant, who was first on the scene, determined it was an explosion and there were injuries.

“We have an automatic mutual aid on a structure fire, which brings us Brookfield, it brings us Hubbard Joint Fire District, brings us the air base, brings us Girard,” Theobald said. “He implemented a mass casualty box, which brought us Howland, Weathersfield assistance.”

He said the crews put together trauma crews, and they had to rescue Braun, who later died.

Theobald said at Monday’s regular trustees meeting that an initial rescue attempt was called off by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) because of live ammunition and fireworks.

Residents in other parts of Liberty, as well as Girard, Hubbard and Youngstown, heard the explosion and felt their homes shaking, reports state. Theobald said fire officials in other communities reported hearing two loud booms and homes shaking.

Fire investigators were back at the scene on Sunday. Theobald thanked all the fire crews, emergency medical service, bomb squad personnel and others who responded and assisted at the scene.

Theobald said organizations such as the Youngstown Bomb Squad intended to search through the structure, but all agencies present agreed that there would be no further entrance other than the exterior because of its damage.

“There’s literally just one piece holding up the second floor, over the garage from the house,” Theobald said. “It was determined that there was probably nothing else to be able to collect in there and it wasn’t worth risking anyone else’s further injury or life at this point.”

Theobald said the 4-year-old’s mother rode in the ambulance and was “apparently” admitted.

“She had no visible injuries at that point in time,” he said.

An investigation into the explosion by the State Fire Marshal’s Fire and Explosion Investigations Bureau (FEIB) revealed occupants of the home had been manufacturing homemade fireworks in the home’s garage, according to a Monday news release.

The release adds that investigators with the FEIB are continuing to investigate along with local, state and federal agencies.

“Making homemade fireworks is incredibly dangerous and, as we have unfortunately seen, can turn tragic in an instant,” State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon said. “The production of fireworks is something that should always be left to the professionals.”

Police Chief Toby Meloro commended all agencies involved for their work, adding that the police department oversaw two action scenes: the house and the hospital.

“It was a horrific experience; however, when organizations come together like that, to provide safety to make sure people get treated, it’s a great thing to see happen when you have collaboration like that,” Meloro said. “It makes our job a lot easier.”

Trustee Arnie Clebone said he went over to the property Sunday, and he said neighbors “apparently” knew there were fireworks.

“A person was regularly shooting fireworks; I don’t know that for a fact, I just heard that,” he said.

Meloro confirmed they received a call to the address May 7 about someone shooting fireworks, so officers went there and investigated. However, no one answered the door.

“If people see something like that, they need to call 911 and let people know. People call me and I say, ‘Call 911’,” Clebone said.

“I know sometimes people don’t want to get their neighbors in trouble, but to just give us a general call; if you give us a specific address, that might have saved a life here,” Meloro said. “Maybe have prevented this.”