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Allen Ray McGrew died in July 2024 after a firework exploded while he was celebrating at a neighborhood block party in Summerville, located in Dorchester County.
The 41-year-old had spent the evening celebrating what his family described as his favorite holiday. Videos later shared online showed him dancing, smoking a cigarette, and wearing an Uncle Sam costume while friends and relatives laughed nearby.
In one video, someone can be heard saying, “He’s dancing to his own tune,” while another person joked that the “big show” would be starting soon.
Moments later, the celebration turned tragic.
Allen Ray McGrew died during 4th of July celebration
Speaking to The Post and Courier, Allen’s wife Paige said he appeared to be preparing to place a large firework on the ground after holding it above his top hat.
“I thought he was just showboating before he set it on the ground. I didn’t realize he had already lit it,” she told the publication.
She later shared that shortly before the tragedy, her husband hugged her and their son and told them: “You are my rock, and you are my heart,” explaining afterward: “Me being his rock and his son being his heart.”