Black powder, which is the heart of all fireworks, is uniquely susceptible to detonation by fire, which makes it so dangerous (and why smoking is prohibited near it). Unlike other explosives, it has a very high speed of combustion at atmospheric pressure. Nitro compounds need to be physically contained (pressurized) and detonated by shock wave in order to attain the explosive velocity that leads to a forceful explosion.
This is what I think. It was set off by a good old fashion fuse. After it was lit, he shot himself. Almost like a Manchurian candidate situation?
Black powder, which is the heart of all fireworks, is uniquely susceptible to detonation by fire, which makes it so dangerous (and why smoking is prohibited near it). Unlike other explosives, it has a very high speed of combustion at atmospheric pressure. Nitro compounds need to be physically contained (pressurized) and detonated by shock wave in order to attain the explosive velocity that leads to a forceful explosion.
A 17 second fuse apparently...
Maybe?