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Fourth victim of Waikele fireworks explosion died of thermal burns, medical examiner says

The Honolulu medical examiner’s office says a fourth victim of a fireworks explosion died from thermal burns.

A medical examiner’s spokeswoman said Thursday 25-year-old Bryan Cabalce of Wahiawa has been identified as one of the men who died after last week’s explosion in an underground bunker in Waikele that stored fireworks. She said he was pronounced dead after Friday’s blast and his death is ruled an accident. 

Three other men died from carbon monoxide inhalation. They were identified as 24-year-old Robert Kevin Freeman of Aiea; 24-year-old Neil Sprankle of Mililani; and 29-year-old Justin Kelii of Kaneohe.

The medical examiner’s office says a cause of death and positive identification for the fifth victim is expected to take a while. Family members have identified him as 50-year-old Robert Leahey.

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