Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
DAD’S HORROR AS ROCKET HITS GIRL
Police appeal after child suffers facial burns
A MAN has described the horrifying moment a “modified firework” exploded in his daughter’s face.
The two-year-old girl suffered burns with the firework also setting fire to her coat and curtains of her home in Newry, Co Down.
Her dad was concerned she was hit with two fireworks taped together.
He said: “We were all out in the back garden when we decided we would let my daughter hold a sparkler. I went inside to get a safe holder for it and had just stepped inside the house when I heard this enormous bang that left our ears ringing.
“My daughter started squealing with pain and we noticed the curtains were smouldering due to the firework.
“My partner took her quickly to A&E for her to get treatment and I was clearing up in the house, I was shocked by what I saw. The firework had been modified, with another firework stuck onto it, which would have made the blast even bigger.
“I am not sure whether the firework was thrown into the garden but I cannot imagine who would do something like this.
“We are thankful the explosion didn’t go into her eyes and do even further damage.”
A PSNI spokesperson said: “Police are appealing for witnesses after a child was injured by a firework thrown into the garden of her home in Rockfield Heights.
“The little girl was standing on the back doorstep with her parents at around 8.15pm when the firework was thrown over the fence and struck her on her face.
“The firework then exploded and set alight the curtains on the patio doors..”
Meanwhile, the Fire and Rescue Service reported a 22% increase on emergency calls and responses on Halloween night - despite Nor th er n Ire l a n d ’s C o v i d restrictions.
In two incidents, officers encountered “hostile” members of th e public who threw missiles including fireworks.
Between 6am on October 31 and 1am yesterday, there were 83 emergency calls and crews responded to 62 incidents.
Fire and Rescue Service said 18 were bonfire or “Halloween
NEWRY, CO DOWN YESTERDAY EXPLOSION
related”.
He a l t h Mi n i s t e r R o b i n S w a n n condemned the attacks on the NIFRS.
He said: “It beggars belief that anyone would consider this acceptable behaviour.
“No injuries have been reported but it could have turned out very differently.
“If we learn anything from 2020, it should be that we all have to treasure our frontline workers and let them know how much we as a society value them.”