A Tasmanian man killed when a commercial-grade firework exploded in his face was intoxicated and under the influence of cannabis at the time of his death, a coroner has found.
The 58-year-old man lit the firework about 200 metres away from a fundraising event in Birralee, west of Launceston, on September 17, 2021.
He placed the firework inside a mortar tube before leaving it in a 40cm hole in the ground.
The man ignited the fuse but was still leaning over the tube when the firework exploded.
He suffered a large open wound to the left side of his chest and burns to his left arm and face.
Several party guests rushed to his aid after hearing the explosion but the man died at the scene.
Toxicology reports showed the man had cannabis in his system and a blood alcohol reading of 0.1 at the time of his death.
Coroner Olivia McTaggart found the significant blood alcohol level would have impaired his thought processes and ability to make sensible decisions.
She also noted the man was not qualified to have or use a commercial firework and it was unclear how he got the explosive device.
"The facts of this unfortunate case illustrate the danger to unqualified persons who attempt to detonate commercial fireworks," Ms McTaggart said.
The coroner did not make any recommendations in her report.
