WANTAGH, N.Y. (1010 WINS) -- Jones Beach was evacuated at the height of a holiday weekend after stray, unexploded fireworks washed ashore the day after a July Fourth show, state parks officials said.

Roughly 2,000 visitors were told to leave the Long Island beach immediately after the seaborne shells began turning up around 12:45 p.m. Saturday, officials said.

It was the first such mishap in the Jones Beach fireworks show's 14-year history, said George Gorman, deputy regional director for the state parks.

Beachcombers, parks staffers and lifeguards spotted the errant explosives, some of which measured 8 inches in diameter, he said.

Police scrutinized the sand and water from all-terrain vehicles, boats and helicopters. They dug into garbage cans to make sure no explosives had been picked up and thrown out.

The beach was to remain closed until sunrise Sunday as authorities continued searching for any remaining fireworks. None had exploded, and no one had been hurt, Gorman said.


Spotted here