The Richmond Flying Squirrels' "In-Your-Face Fireworks" baseball promotion lived up to its name in the most frightening way possible.
Videos by FanBuzz
A postgame fireworks display at CarMax Park malfunctioned July 23, sending pyrotechnics shooting sideways across the field and toward the seating area. Video from the scene shows sparks reaching the dugout and stands as startled fans begin scrambling for safety.
Remarkably, the Richmond Fire Department said no serious injuries were reported.
Fireworks show went haywire at the Richmond Flying Squirrels game, Double-A affiliate of the Giants pic.twitter.com/qRloUnFmDs
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) July 24, 2026
"All of a sudden, the fireworks started shooting across the field and kind of into the stands," fan Christopher Wagner told WRIC. "And we all were like, is this part of the show?"
Other fans said they initially thought the sideways blasts might have been intentional because fireworks continued exploding normally overhead.
The display followed the Squirrels' 3-1 loss. Technicians from Pyro Shows, the company operating the show, terminated it after recognizing the malfunction.
"Pyro Shows sincerely apologizes to all the fans and families in attendance during this distressing event," the company said in a statement obtained by WWBT. "We extend our deepest apologies to the Flying Squirrels organization to include management, players, and staff for this unfortunate incident."
The Squirrels said they were working with Pyro Shows and the Richmond Fire Marshal's Office to determine what caused the equipment failure.
Future displays will be launched from The Diamond, the team's former ballpark located nearby, rather than from inside CarMax Park.
That certainly sounds like a safer distance after a fireworks show that came much closer to the crowd than anyone intended.
