Girl injured by firework explosion

John Scheerhout

October 29, 2009

| Submit Comments | Comments (73) | Previous | Next

A GIRL of 16 suffered burns to her face and hands after a firework exploded.

The teenager was with group of friends on Trongate Walk, Harpurhey, when the accident happened just after 4pm yesterday.

Paramedics treated her with a special burns dressing applied to a 'flash wound' on her face before taking her to hospital.

She remained in hospital last night although her condition was not thought to be life-threatening.

Firefighters say they were called to the incident after reports the firework had 'exploded'.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: "She was with a group of friends although we aren't sure whether she was holding the firework or whether it went off near to her face.

"When we arrived, the ambulance service was already there. They applied a burns gel dressing to a flash wound to her face."

He added: "We can't emphasise enough the dangers of misusing fireworks. We always recommend people attend a proper, structured firework demonstrations and bonfires. People should not mess with fireworks."

| Submit Comments | Comments (73) | Previous | Next

Showing comments 1 to 25 and replies | View All

The girl next door , North west (29/10/2009 at 15:47)

Years of fireworks being around and people still mess around knowing the dangers...
I for one have been at a party where people werre messing around with them luckily no one was hurt but thinking back someone could have been killed easily

Ivan53, Old Trafford (29/10/2009 at 16:03)

Fireworks MUST be banned from public sale!!!!! I have worked in hospitals as well as attended places with the St John Ambulance. Only with well organised displays will you get safety AND a lot of fun!!!!!

Andanotherthing, Mcr (29/10/2009 at 16:09)

It does not sound like an accident to me. More like a hard lesson learned.

Occasionally agreed with, Heald Green (29/10/2009 at 16:10)

Whoops Anthony. What's your take on this as a supporter of putting explosives into the hands of children?

Occasionally agreed with, Heald Green (29/10/2009 at 16:11)

Don't bu&&er around with fireworks is the lesson here.

annon (29/10/2009 at 16:54)

as long as fireworks are on public sale then horrible accidents are always going to happen...simple!

Local lad, outsidethebox (29/10/2009 at 18:28)

We have a mentallity now that people are out of control ,its time to ban fireworks and stop this yearly carnage.

Mad Welsh Scotsman, Cadishead (30/10/2009 at 08:30)

The girl next door: the problem is lack of general parental discipline + kids these days are worse at reading than they were in our days (safety information on packets) + fireworks are getting more powerfull each year = disaster and more work for A & E staff.

I agree, they should be banned except for licensed users, who have regular health and safety training

to the point, bury (30/10/2009 at 14:04)

Why is it, in this day and age of ban everything, the government still will not move on this one?

There can’t be that much money involved, just ban the import/sale of the dam things.

PW, Manchester (30/10/2009 at 14:50)

Health and Safety issues - I agree. Our lives are now governed by extensive legislation and petty rules, mostly about petty things that might happen. Yet incendiary and explosive devices are freely sold in the shops for people to do whatever they wish with them. I know that isn't the intention of the manufacturers and vendors, but it happens - read this story. Time to restrict them to organised events with H & S approved facilitators. Then we may all get some peace.

Andanotherthing, Mcr (30/10/2009 at 17:27)

PW, Manchester
30/10/2009 at 14:50

Wise words PW. I would remind people that the local bonfire and fireworks display was organised when I was a child. Mothers spent the day making Parkin and HUGE trays of brittle bonfire toffee, king Edwards were wrapped in foil ready to be baked.

Dads would BUILD the bonfire correctly, many a discussion and adjustment made.

Things popped and whizzed on a human scale...it was enchanting.

Now it's Warfare.

PW, Manchester (30/10/2009 at 20:13)

Andanotherthing, I used to enjoy the public/communal bonfires when I was a kid. They were great. I'm no longer as thrilled by fireworks, but in today's society I think they should be controlled, and only distributed for public displays. Sorry Anthony of Accrington.

Anthony , Accrington,Lancashire (02/11/2009 at 07:46)

As I have said before PW of Manchester banning fireworks will only encourage illegal sales of dangerous untested uncertified quality fireworks which would kill or injure the people setting them off and they could also injure spectators, the govt isn't convinced of the case for a ban because of this(and that is why they refuse to ban the retail/mailorder sales and private use of fireworks). I'am having 3 great private displays this coming weekend(and I refuse to listen to any nambypamby killjoying spoilsporting fuddyduddying intefering nosey H&S mad busybody safety campaigners;you ARE NOT going to stop me either not even you lot who want fireworks banned!). Doing a display on thursday at a friends house with a Astra Blazing Star Selection Box,a Sparky Deluxe Firework Assortment Selection Box,4xRed Dragon Gamma Rays Roman Candles, Astra Tricolour Wheel Pack,TNT Megablast Selection Box,TNT Liberator Aerial Roman Candle Cake Pack and two TNT Rocket Packs,a display on saturday at a friend's farm using a Fireworks International Party Display Kit and on sunday a huge £500 display with various Dancing Red Devil and TNT Category 3 25m display fireworks. Try stopping me and see the reaction you get!

The Man, Sat on a chair (02/11/2009 at 13:26)

Why do these kids not heed the warning that Welephant gave them!

Black Flag (02/11/2009 at 14:02)

Anthony: "As I have said before PW of Manchester banning fireworks will only encourage illegal sales of dangerous untested uncertified quality fireworks"

As has been pointed out to you before, the same argument can be applied to drugs, but you disagree with that argument. If you don't respect your own argument, I don't see how you can expect anybody else to.

Anthony , Accrington,Lancashire (02/11/2009 at 14:50)

Tough BF I'am gonna have a hell of a time with my fireworks this weekend so stuff that.

PW, Manchester (02/11/2009 at 14:51)

Anthony, I am sure at your displays everyone will arrive home safely having had an enjoyable evening. It is only people like you that should be entrusted with fireworks, and be facilitators. But there is a wide discrepancy between the run-of-the-mill health and safety rules and the almost non-existent rules surrounding fireworks as they do get into the hands of idiots. That is my point.

I bought a birthday card while down in London once. It was in a bright yellow envelope. The girl in the post office told me that I shouldn't use brightly-coloured envelopes as they can harm the eyesight of the sorters, but she will take it this time. That is as true as God is my witness. See the contrast? (no pun intended)

Dae, Manchester (02/11/2009 at 14:54)

Anthony , Accrington,Lancashire- How nice and considerate of you. Three days of fireworks, when Bonfire Night is only the one evening. Whilst you're enjoying your banging and flashing lights, I hope others may spare a thought for the thousands of dogs that are traumatised and sadly even die from the stress that fireworks can cause. If it was only on Bonfire night and New Years Eve, then we could give them something to calm them, but with "nice", "considerate" people like yourself, that'd mean drugging them between Halloween and New Years.
Enjoy your night. We'll be sat inside with the telly turned up, and two shivering dogs, trying to soothe them.

Anthony , Accrington,Lancashire (02/11/2009 at 15:01)

Dae everybody else will also be hosting their shows throughout the weekend so don't think it's just me!

Black Flag (02/11/2009 at 15:05)

Anthony: "Tough BF I'am gonna have a hell of a time with my fireworks this weekend so stuff that."

I don't have a problem with that (although I'm not sure you're the best person to be handling fireworks), just as I don't have a problem with lots of people who are going to have a hell of a time on drugs this weekend.

Angie33 , Manchester (02/11/2009 at 15:17)

Anthony.Its a bit unusual a grown man being so interested in explosives.I take it you are a grown man as you declared your voting intentions.It seems you enjoy great power at your display,over children.I can picture you now.Goggles and safety gear.STAND BACK EVERYBODY.IM IN CHARGE HERE!Meawhile hundreds of people in the area with athsma,babies and pets are closing their windows,taking their tranqs and cursing you.

Anthony , Accrington,Lancashire (02/11/2009 at 15:31)

Angie33, only I(not children) handle fireworks at my displays, children don't even get a look in(kids don't get to touch them anyway),you come up with garbage!!!

Anthony , Accrington,Lancashire (02/11/2009 at 15:39)

And Angie33 it's sensible to wear PPE when doing a display with lots of Category3 25m retail display fireworks to avoid burns and injuries!

Anthony , Accrington,Lancashire (02/11/2009 at 15:48)

I never get cursed Angie33 I get complimented on my efforts so there!

Dae, Manchester (02/11/2009 at 16:02)

"Dae everybody else will also be hosting their shows throughout the weekend so don't think it's just me!
Anthony , Accrington,Lancashire"
"Everybody else" aren't here bragging about it. Tell me, why can't you just keep to the actual night? Why THREE displays?!

()

Report

News