A 13-year-old boy died in Tulsa, Oklahoma, this week after setting off a mortar-style firework that he held its tube facing his head, city police said.

The victim and other boys were gathered at an apartment complex at about 5:30 p.m. on Labor Day to set off fireworks. Witnesses said the blasts kept getting louder and that a small grass fire broke out, the Tulsa Police Department said.

Someone who was with the teen said he set off a mortar-style firework as the tube was pointed at the victim’s head.

Once witnesses noticed the boy lying on the ground, they called for help.

Tulsa Fire Department personnel responded and took the unnamed boy who was suffering cardiac arrest to a local hospital, the police said. The teen died there a short time later.

“This is a stark reminder that fireworks can be extremely dangerous. Please take every precaution when handling them,” the Tulsa Police Department wrote on social media.

• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.