LOUISBURG — A fatal fire in Lenoir County last month has forced Franklin County officials to cancel a planned fireworks show to celebrate Independence Day.

“Franklin County is saddened by the loss of life from the fire in Lenoir County last week which resulted in several injuries to firefighters fighting a fire which also included the detonation of commercial-grade fireworks in a storage container,” said James F. Hicks III, the county’s public information officer.

A farmer died and three firefighters were injured June 10 in Le Grange when a brush fire ignited a storage structure for fireworks, according to information provided by Lenoir County Emergency Services.

As a result of the destruction of the fireworks, which would have been used in this year’s celebration in Louisburg, and the lack of time to find replacements, the county is will canceling this year’s Independence Day fireworks and accompanying festivities, Hicks said.

Fireworks shows at the Wilson County Fairgrounds and Stantonburg have been canceled for the same reason.