San Diego bills its annual July 4th fireworks show as one of the largest in the nation – multiple barges are set up in the harbor, and an estimated half-million people gather for the 18-minute long show.

Not this year – the show took 15 seconds when EVERYTHING went up at more or less the same time:

Here’s the explanation from bigbayboom.com

Approximately 5 minutes before the show was to start, a signal was sent to the barges that would set the timing for the rest of the show after the introduction. There were a number of preliminary test signals sent hours and minutes leading up to the show. All these signals tested properly according to Garden State Fireworks, the fireworks company that provides the show.

The Garden State Fireworks team will be working throughout the night to determine what technical problem caused the entire show to be launched in about 15 seconds.

We apologize for the brevity of the show and the technical difficulties.

More information when available will be posted on this website.

Better luck next year.