San Diego fireworks malfunction causes 20-minute show to burn up in 15 seconds

Includes YouTube video

In this photo provided by Ben Baller, a yachts are illuminated in the foreground as a malfunction causes the entire Fourth of July fireworks show to go off all at once over San Diego Bay near Coronado Island in San Diego, Wednesday, July 4, 2012. (AP Photo/Ben Baller)

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Fourth of July fireworks show above San Diego Bay was over before it was supposed to start after a malfunction caused the display that was planned to last nearly 20 minutes to burn up all at once.

The Coast Guard says the mishap occurred minutes before the scheduled opening of the Big Bay Boom show. Guard spokesman Rich Dann tells U-T San Diego he’s never seen so many fireworks go off at one time.

The San Diego Fire Department says there were no injuries. More than 500,000 people witnessed the short-lived spectacle.

Show producer Garden State Fireworks has apologized, saying they’re working to determine what “caused the entire show to be launched in about 15 seconds.”

Video of the big, bright fizzle is glowing strong on YouTube.

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Information from: U-T San Diego, http://www.utsandiego.com