A 61-year-old Carbon County man has died as a result of an exploding firework on his property, close to the Lehigh County border, authorities said.

The Lehigh County Coroner’s Office said Kevin J. Koch of Towamensing Township was pronounced dead just before 6:40 p.m. Sept. 16 at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest in Salisbury Township.

Koch died of blast and thermal injuries due to the explosion of the pyrotechnic device. The death was ruled accidental by Lehigh County Coroner Daniel A. Buglio.

Pennsylvania State Police in Lehighton said the incident happened around 10:15 p.m. Sept. 12 in the 7000 block of Pohopoco Drive. Koch ignited a mortar firework on the property, leading to a “serious injury,” state police said.

Pennsylvania State Police in Lehighton and the Lehigh County Co

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