An explosion that destroyed 20 fireworks warehouses in China three months ago will probably dim night skies in the United States this Fourth of July.

Fireworks vendors said that because of the shortage, fireworks such as bottle rockets, ladyfingers and Roman candles, and mortars used in professional displays, will be hard to get, meaning many of the usual pyrotechnic extravaganzas across the country may be curtailed or canceled.

"Everybody in the industry is scared to death that their orders aren't going to get here in time," said Ken Sprague, president of Hamburg Fireworks Display in Lancaster, Ohio, which choreographs fireworks shows throughout the Midwest.

"I haven't slept a full night in months."

The blast Feb. 14 in the Chinese port city of Sanshui shook homes miles away, and fireworks soared and burst in midair for more than 24 hours, according to local news reports. It is unclear whether anyone was harmed.

The accident led to a b...

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