HOLT, Mo. -- A Missouri teenager suffered severe facial injuries on Monday in a fireworks accident, KMBC's Maria Antonia reported.

Clay County officials said a bunch of sparklers were lit at the same time in a coffee can and the can exploded in the teenager's face. The accident happened at the family's home in Holt.

The teen, who is a 2005 Kearney High School graduate, is recovering at the University of Kansas Medical Center.

"Everybody's really thinking about him right now. It's really hard," friend Mallory Smith said. "They're just waiting for the swelling to go down to see what they're going to do next."

Smith said she visited the teen at the hospital. The two went to high school together and are now in college together.

"I just hope he pulls through this," Smith said.

Kearney firefighters said they've seen numerous fireworks accidents before.

"Basically they're dealing with (dynamite) when they start assembling these types of things," Kearney Fire Chief Larry Pratt said.

The teenager's condition was not released.

Fireworks Safety Tips

National Council on Fireworks Safety

CDC Fireworks Safety Tips