Kids’ exploding sparkler leaves dad in agony

A Whittlesey dad said he is thankful his children escaped life-changing injuries after a sparkler exploded in his hand, causing him severe burns.

John Burch is taking strong painkilling medication due to the nasty injuries caused by the Turbo Sparkler he bought from JTF in Padholme Road East, Fengate, two Saturdays ago.

The company has since issued a recall of the product after reports of other people suffering similar injuries. It said the sparkler was “widely available across the market” and that it was investigating “a small number of incidents”.

Mr Burch (36), who has been forced to take time off work as a lorry driver due to the severe pain in his right hand, said he bought the sparklers for his children aged, six, eight and 13 to use. Fortunately, they were not standing near him when he lit one up.

He told the Peterborough Telegraph: “My children are around the same height as my hand. It does not bear thinking about how bad this could have been. The pain is excruciating, but I could not bear seeing my children putting up with it.”

Mr Burch said the pain in his right hand is so bad it wakes him up at night, and that he has suffered nerve damage to his two smallest fingers.

On top of that, because of the terms of his contract he will not be paid while off work as a lorry driver.

He said: “It’s been a long time since I’ve cried due to pain but I was close. I’m now waking up two to three times a night because of the pain.

“I don’t blame JTF as they’re a third party supplying the fireworks, but it does not help the fact I’m off work and not getting paid.”

Mr Burch said he is taking legal advice as he seeks to cover his loss of earnings.

The burns suffered by John Burch after the sparkler exploded