Report: Buddhist monks set off illegal fireworks

[EC]

 ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) -- They'll likely be mindful of any future fireworks ban.

Albuquerque authorities say, among the more than a dozen citations for illegal fireworks handed out July 4th, one was given to a group of Buddhist monks, KRQE-TV reports (http://goo.gl/ikB3oK ).

Albuquerque Fire Department inspector Darrick Pino said the citation was written after authorities stumbled upon an audience watching a fireworks show from the Hoi Phuoc Buddhist Temple.

The monks were setting off a treasure trove of illegal fireworks, including Roman candles and mortars, Pino said.

Albuquerque was under fireworks restrictions due to high fire danger.

Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_ODD_MONKS_ILLEGAL_FIREWORKS

[Chieftain]

I'll tell ya what.....our neighborhood fireworks display topped any of the big displays in the area.  We got started at 9:00 and didn't let up until almost midnight when we had to stop.  Hard to guess how many tons of gunpowder were detonated in the air a couple of days ago, but the neighborhood is finally losing that stink.....

I hit the street at 8 AM Saturday morning with my leaf blower, brooms, dustpan and trashcan, and spent 2 1/2 hours cleaning up the mess.....