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Subscribe to RSSA technical glitch caused all of the fireworks to go off in one big 15-second bang in Sand Diego, igniting outrage after spectators were told to go home.
A computer glitch apparently caused the fireworks mishap that disappointed thousands of people who camped out to watch the Big Bay Boom in San Diego's Glorietta Bay Wednesday night, when they got more of a Big Bay Bust.
Hours after the fireworks malfunction, August Santore, co-owner of Garden State Fireworks, told San Diego morning television stations, “We apologize to all the residents and all the people who missed their fireworks.”
About 5 minutes before the show was supposed to start, a sudden burst of fireworks shot into the air near the bay. Throughout downtown San Diego, a large rumble could be felt just before 9 p.m. on Wednesday night.
It appeared that hundreds of fireworks were set off at the same time. The explosions lasted a few seconds.
At about 9:20 p.m., people waiting for the display were told to return home. The fireworks show was canceled, a radio announcement said.
See the original report at NBCSanDiego.com
Port District authorities said a "technical difficulty" resulted in all the fireworks going off within 15 seconds, just minutes before the show was scheduled to begin.
"We sincerely apologize for the technical glitch that affected the #BigBayBoom. Event producers are currently investigating the cause," read a Tweet from the Port of San Diego.
Watch RAW video of the Big Bay Boom here.
Santore said the problem was not a malfunction of the pyrotechnics and it was not human error.
The crew was up all night testing and retesting to find out what happened, he said, and they are "pretty confident" there was some sort of glitch in a computer program that was downloaded into all five systems coordinating the fireworks at all five stations.
The company has backup plans if the display doesn’t ignite but there is no backup plan if the fireworks ignite prematurely, Santore said.
The show took several months of planning.
"No one feels worse than us,” Santore said. “We don’t look for anyone’s sympathy, we accept 100% responsibility.”
"We were hired to perform and do a contract and there is no excuse," he said. "We will get to the bottom of it. It’s not something we take lightly."
Santore has offered to do a makeup fireworks display at no cost to the Big Bay Boom Committee, which produces the event.
Santore told NBCSanDiego.com that Big Bay Boom thanked Garden State for its generosity, but no plans were in place. Santore said his company may end up producing the Independence Day show next year for free.
Here's a collection of responses from social media users who witnessed the seemingly botched display:
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Epic Fail
OOOOOhhhh.......aaawwww,...ok let's go!
Kinda like the Obama Presidency....The Big Flash & Boom of Hope & Change ....then people wondering what happened, then disappointment, realizing they were promised much and got little .....
Very unlikely San Diego will rehire Garden State Fireworks...same holds true with the American people and Obama....
Looks to me like you have a crush on Obama, Mike. :) Just can't stop talking about him when he's not even the topic at hand. Aww, that's cute. <3 <3 <3 <3 :D
Not me, but this guy does .....Obama Boy - I Have A Crush On Obama
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Qn5nEV8q-4U
Yikes . . . !!! Maybe the "Obama Boy" would like to run for POTUS?? At least he's not likely to be a pawn of Pelosi & Reid!
Hahahahaha!! That was a funny story but it happens to some of the best guys, I am sure. :)
Sounds like premature detonation...that always leaves somebody dissatisfied...LOL
Wow what news! The author didn't have any details for the story so he/she used quotes from the twits on twitter to add fluff to the article. But the twits have no idea what happened either.
EXTRA! EXTRA! Read Nothing About it!
Garden State Fireworks from the Garden State (NJ) - So California had to outsource their fireworks celebration because nobody instate could "F" it up that badly.
Looks like GSF was looking for a quick pay off.
I heard it. I didn't know what it was until now.
We live in another part of San Diego and we have our own show from the local high school. My family and I were sitting in the jacuzzi waiting for our show to start. It was cloudy and cold all day. The overcast made the noise travel all over the place. I thought it had come from somewhere east of us.
My wife says I have the same problem. One big bang, or I fizzle out completely.
......what was once a mighty oak is now just a hanging vine.....
one hell of a bang though!
I don't know about that - it may have been former Ace Elevator of Palisades Park, New Jersey 'employees' and they forgot which job they were 'doing'?
I totally would have paid to see that.
I bet it was a heck of a boom :) can you imagine all the folks driving home with no windshield, lol.
I get my fireworks at Newsvine - there are Red and Blue bombs flying back and forth 24/7, and everyone leaves grumpy.
Well at least they still had their 15 seconds of an extremely colorful display, so what if they missed the long version. We had NOTHING going on here, no public or residential fireworks of any kind. After all, it wouldn't have been very smart to put on the annual shows in an area so dry with extreme restrictions, where nobody can smoke cigarettes outside (only inside or in their cars), use open torches or do welding unless inside, do off-roading in vehicles unless they have spark arrestors, or things like use chainsaws and generators without spark arrestors either. Lucky for San Diego they were ABLE to have anything go on at all, even if it turned out to be a bust.
Quoted from the article:
Um, dude, ... not human error? Computers don't program themselves.
I'm just sayin' ...
I would think they were referring to the software not being written correctly, or missing something in the code - I think that's possible - it seems to me though, they would have caught that in their pre-show testing.
As a long-time programmer, I can say that it is easily possible that it was computer error. The program that the human writes is read and acted on by an interpreter or compiler (which is another program), and they often do unexpected things. I've had a lot of programs that looked perfectly good but wouldn't run properly under certain conditions, for no apparent reason. Add a nonsense line of code (like a = 1+1) and after recompiling it would run just fine. Lots of little glitches like that I'm afraid. It could be related to the date, the time, the number of stations (fireworks) being monitored. Too many things to fully test every time.
The computer was obviously MADE IN CHINA..
You're right, jongleur. A number of things could have happen to cause this mishap. They reported, however, that there was no plan made with the system to stop a premature firing - I guess some things you just have to learn as you go - in the computer world.
I'm really not trying to be argumentative, guys, ... just testing the logic (for discussion purposes).
If a computer program is written by humans, ...
downloaded / installed by humans, ....
onto a computer designed by humans, ....
and built by humans, ....
and the end result is a failure unanticipated by humans, ....
how is it exactly that humans escape any responsibility for the failure by blaming it on "a computer glitch"? (Or as Homer would summarize, " D'oh! ")
Seems a pretty 'convenient' argument to blame it on the inanimate object and call it a day. But then, that IS human, isn't it (pun intended). At least if the computer had been struck by lightning they could use another standby argument and call it an "Act of God"; although I have never been very fond of that expression. Seems a bit like tweaking the nose of 'the Big guy.' ;-)
I'm just sayin' ....
Outstanding! Bwahahahaha....
You dems mess up everything. Surprised none of you have blamed GWB for it.
Until the troll at the end, the discussion is awesome! Of course, in the end it is human error. Born of an essential lack of understanding on some point. One of those things we don't know, we don't know.....and, absolutely, it was likely a software glitch. ......Or maybe, we all went through a rip in the time space fabric and they all went off as usual but we only experienced it as a few seconds....or maybe it was an Act of God, and God just gets through these displays a lot faster.......
Living so close to a huge naval base probably scared the ***t out of some people that an ammo depot had exploded.
'NC open heart' wrote:
Hey, I like it. I think you may be onto something there, NC.
Maybe the Big Guy thought calling this the "Big Bay Boom" just a bit lacking in proper respect?
I mean, after you have lit-off the ultimate fireworks display, "The Big Bang", everything else is just a cheap knock-off.
The next time I get suspended I'm going to tell Tyler that it was computer error...
Garden State Fireworks hired Marvin The Martian as a minimum wage sub-contractor temp from the California state-subsidized Out Of The Hood work program. "There was supposed to be an earth-shattering KABOOM!! Delays, delays...
Good to know the Eludium Pew-36 Explosive Space Modulator worked as planned, Marvin.
If 'merkins worked as efficiently as this fireworks show, the Chinese wouldn't be kicking our butts and owning us via WalMart. If 'merkin's minds were as efficient as this fireworks show, WE WOULD be the greatest nation in the World, instead of merely saying the phrase and knowing we are just a bunch of pathetic loser lairs.
I enjoy how the big dummy from the fireworks company is hemming and hawing about It wasn't human error… it was computer error… a computer virus found its way into the system, yeahhhh… that's the ticket… BWAAhahahha, what a big dummy
WHEN was the last time you were suspended from NewsVine, Drainbramage? IT WAS computer error… Tyler actually meant to add another leaf to your NewsVine merit badge tree, but Tyler's computer glitch suspended you for no good reason instead...
@Freddie-2018318, There's nothing that they can do. once the firework goes off, the only thing that they can do is reload the cannon. With that being said, who would risk getting lit on fire while reloading a fireworks cannon?
I was at a display once where a aerial bomb was shot but a gust of wind blew it sideways right into the back of the truck where the rest of the fireworks were stored. it lasted about 5 minutes and dfwas beautiful. My kids thought it was the greatest thing they had seen of fireworks. No one was hurt and it was one heck of a show. the Grand-finally firewroks mortars were already filled and ready for the end of the show. when the truck finally stopped exploding they set off teh final display which was just as grand as the truck going up. A disaster is not always a disaster. Everyone at this show thought it was great especially when they found out no one was hurt. some people even said can you do it again next year.
when you have been sitting with kids from 14 to 3 years old all day at the festivities it was great to get the show on and off so fast. we were glad to be able to go home early and still have witnessed a great show. not the show we thought we were going to see but still a great show none the less.
So if he lies cheats and grubs for money maybe he has a MBA and works on wall street.
I thought liberals disliked stereotyping?
My thought exactly. End of a long day, cranky kids everywhere. Get it over quickly.
Great way to see the glass as half full......! We're glad that no one was hurt - or injured - too!
Two Portland, Maine stories: About 10 years ago a morter went "bloop" and fell into a whole bunch of other mortars, which set the whole thing off at once. I was about 500 feet from the launch site and it FILLED the sky with a continuous roar and light show for about 5 minutes. Nobody who was there complained about that let me tell you! It was astounding - body felt like somebody was hitting it with pillows.
Last night we had 50-60,000 people on the peninsula; a thunderstorm blew in from the West, and they got drenched . Massive lightning, horizontal rain, 40-50 mph winds, etc. Tonight they are going to try again!
that must have been one hell of a boom!
Too funny!!!!
When you get Californians and the nutjobs from New Jersey together you can be sure nothing will go right.
Too funny!!!
@David L Laidig
I hate lying, cheating, money grubbing, illegal gun carrying, grade school dropout, dirt poor conservatives.
How do you shave in the morning without looking in the mirror?
I believe David was taking issue with the original poster's handle, Ihateliberals. It's inflammatory. Personally I was surprised and delighted to see the actual original post was quite good. But if one wants to label themselves in such a manner, one is likely to get some blowback.
A gust of wind blew a shell traveling at 100 mph into a truck?
And that same gust did not blow the truck over????
BS or a lie!
I think the big problem here is that the fireworks went off 5 minutes before the show was supposed to start.
It does look pretty cool (like multiple Death Stars exploding.)
douche
Come to think of it... this fireworks show was as efficient as the sex my housemate and his gurlfriend had LAST night BWAAAhahahaha "ughnh aiyy boom crickets" over and done with, as soon as they closed the bedroom door
check out a video of the epic fail from up close!!
Check out a video of the Epic fail from up close on harbor island!
youtube
I'm sure it was disappointing for those expecting a big show, but those pics are very cool. Amazing some people were able to catch that shot with just a few seconds to spare.
..... AriesMatt oh, it was a big show , just a very short big show .... silly us , where i live , we have the big finallie last , not first ...
Must have been using a Chromebook!
Guys do that sometimes. Even San Diego guys.
PREMATURE??? I hate when that happens!
Premature? Ain't no such thing! When it's time - it's time. It just may not be time for others involved.
If you look closely, you can see the face of JESUS in the fireball! In the other one, you can see MARY! Now every Mexican Catholic will be going WILD over this, and the place will become one of sacred pilgrimage.
LOL. hahahaha.
Shandril,
I think I'm in love with you, lol.
Good on ya, Shandril!
Shandril
I didn't see Jesus' face, it looked more like early 70's Jim Morrison. So I'm sure a lot of Mexicans will gather and sing "come on baby light my firework" LOL
I have nothing to say really, except that you guys are cracking me up. That's all. Getting back to my day now....
Come on, everyone one of us at one time or another has had the question of what would it be like if you set them all off at once. Sure, it was short...but EPIC (yeah, and an epic fail on the part of the fireworks company).
Just check that one off the bucket list and go on smiling.
I think the phone at Garden State Fireworks will continue to go unanswered.
Somebodies not getting paid.
They got their fireworks display - even if it was a Readers Digest version.
This is just like when you rent a ho - gotta pay no matter how short you last.
No mention in the article about not getting paid - considering the prep time, material, equipment, travel, etc required, the contract probably included a prepayment of 75%, at least.
Since the Garden State Fireworks Co. has already offered to present a free show to compensate, I suspect they were paid in advance. The makeup show is the best thing for them, for lots of reasons.
Yer right, Sane Central.... no money for the hard-working crew to buy hookers after the show...
what a shame. at least no one was hurt. maybe they'll have a redo
doubt it...
Why would a city pay for a repeat F up?
The city didn't pay for THIS one. It's the port district's show.
IF ONLY MY BOWELS worked as efficiently as this fireworks show...
Maybe that's why the Joisey Crime Boss who owns the fireworks company wears Depends diapers...
No no, this was the new economic way of doing fireworks! More bang for your buck.
... errr the finallie button was suppose to be hit last dummy .... even a pothead knows that .... duh
.... and.... i want a refund too
.... SOLID PROOF of The Big Bang Theory...
badda-BING, badda-BOOM.
I don't see any report of anyone getting hurt, so...LOL...ROFL
How many spectators thought that they started with the Grand Finale, and waited with amazement for a continuation, only to share bewildered looks with each other within seconds?
This is as bad as one year when I watched a fireworks display where several seconds elapsed between each firework that every now and then we all wondered if the show was over and began to walk away only to have another firework shoot up behind our backs...LOL
Ooops!
After the show is loaded and wired the operator lets the computer "test"
the show by checking the circuit to each shell then the operator resets
the computer to get ready for the show,
IF the operator does not reset the computer and sets it to the "Fire" mode
the computer just does what it is supposed to do and "catches" up to the
firing order.
Some ex-employee forgot a simple step. To those watching it looks like the show
fired all at once because the computer can catch up REALLY REALLY fast.
It happened before on the east coast years ago....
Just a guess from a licensed operator with 20 years in the business.
In the words of the immortal Katnip... "That sounds logical". Would've been a hoot to see firsthand too!
Someone last night just lost there job....Ouch
That was my first guess too. Although the more I look at it - I am wondering if it was a program screwup. In looking at the video - all the barges went. If only 1 barge blew - that would be a single operator error test/fire switch with no reset - or a static discharge as all the ground wires were connected to the firing control in the pin=fired systems. But to have all the barges fire - that would have taken 3 operators to make the same test/fire mistake. I think they had managed to have cues layered sitting in the pre-roll portion of the time code. Copy/Paste to each controller, load the truck... Just hope the early reports of no one getting injured are correct. Looks like Pyro Spectaculars or Fireworks America - both San Diego pyro companies will be getting that contract back! :)
Were the guys who 'set and timed' this fireworks display former "Ace Elevator employees" of Palisade Park NJ, who were contracted to renovate the elevators at WTC and had three months access to the core of the building before the event? Wondering....
Premature detonation is so embarrassing. They shot their entire load before it even started.
The fireworks company must have been headed by an Iranian. I think my urologist might have been able to fix this problem.
ACME Fireworks "beep, beep"
Funny, very funny, Rick......!
I devoutly hope no one was injured or killed in this malfunction...frightening! I am not a fireworks fan to begin with, but this just convinces me even more that they are not safe and certainly not necessary to our amusement. If you like sparkly things, buy yourself a nice quality kaleidescope and you will be able to enjoy it for hours, all safely and reusable over and over again. All the money normally expended can be put to much more needed and worthy pursuits!
I bet you are a "blast" to hang out with!
Prefers to live in a padded room also having food liquified and fed thru a tude so they can't choke either.
Oh god, please don't have kids...
I'm not the biggest fan of fireworks out there (the screaming ones kill my ears) but I'd never want to supress the enjoyment other people get from them! Some of the things they come up with are pretty spectactular, and it's worth sitting through it to see the joy on my familys face.
I think the fact that an error of this magnitude occurred and no one was reported injured or killed is more testament to the safety and precautions used with fireworks, not the other way around.
I like fireworks, but they do spew out an amazing amount of air pollution. When winds are calm, the smoke from earlier shells can almost obscure the second half of the show. Some of the chemicals that make the pretty colors produce byproducts that would never be permitted for release into the air at other times.
Thank goodness no one was hurt. I remember the old days of fireworks shows, when the firer would walk from mortar to mortar with a flare, lighting fuses to a schedule. If these barges had been set up with employees among the explosives, several would have been incinerated. Even with the disappointment of a flubbed show, the automated route looks better for safety.
ozymandias rising , your kaleidoscope no doubt serves a dual purpose... you can pleasure yourself , for hours and hours, by popping off the eyepiece end of the thing, and go at it like the one-cylinder piston engine that you are BWAAAhahaha, finish off, put the eyepiece end back on, point the kaleidoscope at a light source, and enjoy your gooey show for hours and hours GOD YOUR COMMENT KRAKED ME THE HELL UP
hopefully this was from private donations and the tax payers didnt have to pay for it
I'm sure it was tax money.
It was sponsored by the Port District, which is funded by user fees at the harbor and airport.
oblama paid for it fool
Perfect for the ADHD crowd who can't sit through anything for more than 30-60 seconds. Bam, done, back in car and home for early night.
Ah, more disappointed, shallow, uninvented Americans who think that somehow this has ruined their night out, vacation, or some other portion of their lives even if only for a few minutes. They will complain about it for years. Something went wrong so get over it. Lets just be happy that it didn't result in shooting fireworks into the crowds or exploding at the launch tubes killing and hurting the workers.
Thank you!
How do you "un-invent" an American??
{snicker}!
Ah, more stupid generalizations about Americans.
Anything intelligent to say?