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Teen kept 200 kilos of fireworks in flat

Highgate/England. A teenager (19) kept more than 200 kilos of fireworks in two kitchen cupboards 15 storeys up a city tower block. Liam Ryan, Highgate, was given a 12-month community order by Birmingham Magistrates August 20, 2010, after pleading guilty to three offences which amounted to him storing dangerous fireworks without a licence to sell them. A fire safety officer recovered more than 200 kilos of fireworks during an inspection at the one-bedroom council flat at the 20-storey block in June 2009, said it was the first time he had ever encountered such a case.

Source: "Teen kept 200 kilos of fireworks in Highgate flat", 21.8.2010, http://www.birminghammail.net/news/birmingham-news/2010/08/21/teen-kept-200-kilos-of-fireworks-kept-in-highgate-flat-97319-27106864/

Man tried to burn down his girlfriend's home with firework

Lawrenceville, Gwinnett County, Georgia/America. A man is behind bars for allegedly trying to burn down his girlfriend's home with a firework in the wake of a domestic dispute. Fire investigators arrested the 21-year-old man in the night of August 12, 2010 at his residence; they believe the 21-year-old ignited his girlfriend's Stone Hollow Place home about 6 a.m. August 12, 2010. The fire caused moderate damage to the home's siding. Fire crews called in investigators after discovering a firework device in close proximity to the burned area. Investigators executed a search warrant to the 21-year-old man's residence, where they found fireworks identical to the one located at the fire scene. During questioning, the man admitted to causing the fire with a firework device; he remains at the Gwinnett County Jail on first-deree arson and battery charges.

Source: 

"Man charged with igniting girlfriend's house", 13.8.2010, http://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/localnews/headlines/100637244.html

"Fireworks used to set Gwinnett house fire", 14.8.2010, http://www.accessnorthga.com/detail.php?n=231439 

"Man charged with arson in Lawrenceville", 16.8.2010, http://www.examiner.com/crime-in-atlanta/man-charged-with-arson-lawrenceville-1

Man facing felony charge after blowing up neighbor's mailbox with fireworks

America. An Oakwood man has admitting to blowing up a neighbor's mailbox with high-powered fireworks. Steven DiDonato pleaded guilty on August 10, 2010 in Stapleton Criminal Court to a felony count of fourth-degree arson. The man was 19 on April 7, 2010, when he detonated a mailbox at a East Broadway home with the fireworks. He used two mortars to blow up the mailbox. The judge ordered he undergo inpatient psychiatric treatment, pending sentencing. The defendant is due back in court Oct. 14, 2010.

Source: "Oakwood man facing felony charge after blowing up neighbor's mailbox with fireworks, prosecutors say", 11.8.2010, http://www.silive.com/eastshore/index.ssf/2010/08/oakwood_man_facing_felony_char.html

Man jailed for firework attack

Shieldfield, Newcastle/United Kingdom. Christopher Graham is today behind bars for a firework attack on his ex-girlfriend's home. When he thought his girlfriend was having an affair, he hurled a firework through her letter box, causing a small fire. Newcastle Crown Court heard August 5, 2010, that Graham launched his attack on April 12 at the flat at Clarence House, a block of around 30 flats in Shieldfield, Newcastle, where his on-off girlfriend lives with her two daughters (17, 6). Fortunately, she was awake and able to extinguish the flames. The judge jailed Graham for seven years and said it was simply luck that the woman and others in the block of flats were not killed.

Source:

"Lottery winner's stepson jailed for Newcastle arson", 5.8.2010, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-10886425

"Tyneside Lotto loser jailed for firework attack", 6.8.2010, http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/evening-chronicle-news/2010/08/06/tyneside-lotto-loser-jailed-for-firework-attack-72703-27011016/

Charges dropped against students who admitted to starting fire while setting of fireworks

Dunn County/America. Charges are dropped against three UW-Stout students accused of accidentally setting a grass fire April 2009. The fire burned about 600 acres near Elk Mound. The students called police saying they might have started the fire while setting of fireworks in the area. - Dunn County District Attorney says the three students will split paying $10,000 to the departments who fought the fire.

Source:

"Charges dropped in major grass fire", 4.8.2010, http://www.wqow.com/Global/story.asp?S=12925100

"Charges dropped against students who admitted to starting fire", 4.8.2010, http://www.weau.com/home/headlines/99986394.html

Fireworks manufacturer accused of injuring teenager through negligence

Malta. A licensed fireworks manufacturer, Manuel Farrugia (68), was charged in court on July 26, 2010, with having caused grievous injuries to Kurt Conner (13) through negligence during the ground fireworks festival held in Floriana in April 2009.

A police constable told the court that he had seen something come off one of the ground fireworks structures and fly into the crowd and heard the boy shouting in pain and holding his face in his hands. The boy had suffered grievous injury to one of his eyes, including a tear on a cornea caused by burns, inflammation of the retina and a cut under the eye lid.

Source: "Fireworks manufacturer accused of injuring teenager through negligence", 26.7.2010, http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100726/local/court

Fire in the wood caused by tourists setting up fireworks

Greece. Greek authorities have transported by ship the fire brigade to the Diaporos Island to put down the fire in the wood caused by fireworks set by Bulgarian citizens.

According to the officials, the Bulgarians were sailing on four yachts in the bay between Diaporos Island and Vourvourou resort and were having a party. Two of the Bulgarians set fireworks, one of which fell in the water, while the other fell on the island, where it set a fire. – Two Bulgarians have been detained and accused of arson, which under the Greek law is punished with up to 10 years in jail.  24.7.2010

Source: "Greek authorities transport fire brigade by ship to put down fire in Diaporos set by Bulgarian tourists", 27.7.2010, http://www.focus-fen.net/index.php?id=n226629

Teens charged with shooting fireworks at police officers

America. Police say two teenagers fired "explosive mortar rounds" – possibly Roman candles- at three police officers outside a Spring Valley Drive home July 5, 2010, according to arrest warrants. Police had been called to the location to investigate an assault on firefighters responding to a fire call.

Quason Murray (18), faces three counts of assault with a deadly weapon on a government official and one count of resist, obstructand delay off an officer.

Marqualyn Currence (16), of 205 Dover Drive, Bessemer City, faces identical charges in the incident.

Source:

"Teen charged with shooting fireworks at police officers", 16.7.2010, http://www.gastongazette.com/news/justified-49106-class-fireworks.html

"Second teen faces charges related to assaulting police with fireworks", 19.7.2010, http://www.gastongazette.com/news/bodycopy-49159-class-justified.html

Arrest after dog injured by firework

America. Tulalip Tribal police officers say they were forced to kill a dog after the animal fetched a lit firework that exploded in its mouth. A 52-year-old man was arrested in connection with the July 8, 2010, incident. David Nahinu appeared July 12, 2010, in Everett District Court where a judge ordered him held on $10,000 for investigation of first-degree animal cruelty.

Nahinu was arrested July 9, 2010, after police searched his home. They found fireworks similar to the one believed to have injured his neighbor's dog, as well as illegal fireworks.

The firework that exploded in the dog's mouth is typically launched into the sky from a cardboard tube, not thrown on the ground.

Nahinu allegedly told investigators that he lobbed the firework toward the dog, knowing the animal would play with it and the animal grabbed it and walked away, then it exploded.

The dog, a German Shepherd mix, had severe injuries to his mouth and face. An officer shot the injured animal to end the dog's suffering.

Source: "Arrest after dog injured by firework", 13.7.2010, http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20100713/NEWS01/707139901&news01ad=1

Fireworks thrown at police car draws felony charge

Montavius Lamont McCoulley (21), of Clover, was charged with illegal use of destructive device after police say he ignited a mortar-style firework and threw it at a police car on July 4, 2010.

Source:

"Fireworks thrown at patrol cars; Clover man faces weapon charge", 6.7.2010, http://www.heraldonline.com/2010/07/06/2292200/fireworks-thrown-at-patrol-cars.html

"Fireworks thrown at Clover police car draws felony charge", 7.7.2010, http://www.heraldonline.com/2010/07/07/2292969/fireworks-prank-draws-felony-charge.html

Man guilty in firecracker prank

America. Patrick Swann (19) of Glen Burnie, pleaded guilty July 9, 2010, to second-degree assault in exchange for suspended sentence. He admitted in County Circuit Court in Annapolis that he put a firecracker inside a cigarette April 4, 2009, and gave it to a female friend (19) to smoke. It exploded in her face; it loosened a tooth and cut her lips and gums.

Circuit Court Judge William C. Mulford II sentenced Swann to one year in jail. He then suspended all but four days of the sentence, which Swann had already served while awaiting trial.

Source: "Glen Burnie man guilty in firecracker prank", 13.7.2010, http://www.hometownannapolis.com/news/for/2010/07/13-44/Glen-Burnie-man-guilty-in-firecracker-prank.html

Fireworks cause fireworks on city street

Bridgeport, Connecticut/America. Police arrested a Brooks Street man (47) after he allegedly threatened a family with a gun for setting off fireworks on his street. The man was charged with criminal possession of a firearm, two counts of risk of injury to a minor, second-degree threatening and second-degree assault. 25.6.2010

Source: "Fireworks cause fireworks on city street", 27.6.2010, http://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Fireworks-cause-fireworks-on-city-street-539108.php

Fire leads to fireworks arrest

Lake Grove/America. A man (33) was arrested on May 27, 2010, for fireworks possession after his garage on West Cliff Lane caught fire. – The man was charged with unlawfully dealing with fireworks.

Source: "Lake Grove fire leads to fireworks arrest", 28.5.2010, http://www.longislandpress.com/2010/05/28/lake-grove-fire-leads-to-fireworks-arrest/

Teenage bullies guilty of letterbox firework killing

England. A teenage gang has been convicted of killing a woman in a prank by pushing a firework through her letterbox following a string of bullying attacks on her son (17).

Mary Fox (59) died in the fire in her home in 51 Wallace Road, Bodmin, Cornwall, on November 5, 2009; her son escaped through a window.

Owen Hewitt (18) and Samuel Luckes (17) were each jailed for seven years at Truro Crown Court for manslaughter of the mother of nine. They were also each sentenced to three years for committing arson being reckless as to whether Mrs Fox's son's life was endangered. Ryan Croft (18) who pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing, was given five years for manslaughter and two years for arson, also running concurrently.

Source:

à "Teenage bullies jailed for firework attack death", 28.5.2010, http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/gang-guilty-of-letterbox-firework-killing-1985831.html

"Firework attackers get seven years for manslaughter of Mary Fox", 28.5.2010, http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/may/28/firework-attackers-manslaughter-mary-fox

"Gang guilty of letterbox firework killing", 29.5.2010, http://www.dissexpress.co.uk/news/national/gang_guilty_of_letterbox_firework_killing_1_642147

"Firework killer had a nationwide Asbo: Yet he was free to bully and start fatal blaze", 29.5.2010, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1282206/Teenage-gang-convicted-killing-mother-pushing-firework-letterbox-bullying-campaign-son.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

"Teenage trio guilty of killing Bodmin mother and arson by letterbox firework", 29.5.2010, http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/news/Trio-guilty-killing-arson/article-2228846-detail/article.html

Fireworks plant operator jailed for deadly blast

China. A man who ran an illegal fireworks plant in Yangzhuangzi village, of Qingyun town, Qingyun county, where an explosion killed 13 plant workers and injured two in 2009, was convicted at Dezhou city Intermediate People's Court, Shandong province, of illegally manufacturing explosives and sentenced at an east China court to life imprisonment.

Source: "Fireworks plant operator jailed for deadly blast", 11.4.2010, http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2010-04/11/content_9713040.htm

Volunteer firefighter fined $300 for wayward firework

Wallington/America. A judge slapped a volunteer firefighter with a $300 fine on April 8, 2010, for a lighting a firework from a firehouse roof just after midnight on New Year's Day 2010 that crashed through an apartment window and set off a small blaze in a baby's room, destroying gifts the infant girl had received for Christmas. Ronald Serafin received the sentence after pleading guilty in Bergen County Municipal Court to criminal mischief. A possession of fireworks charge was dropped under a plea agreement.

Source: "Volunteer Wallington firefighter fined $300 for wayward firework", 8.4.2010, http://www.northjersey.com/news/crime_courts/040810_Volunteer_Wallington_firefighter_fined_300_for_wayward_firework.html

Man sentenced to six years for fireworks attack

America. A Myrtle Beach man (25) was sentenced March 10, 2010, to six years in prison on a charge that he threw fireworks into a pizza delivery driver's car and burned the teen driver in 2008.

Source: "Myrtle Beach man sentenced to six years for fireworks attack", 11.3.2010, http://www.thesunnews.com/2010/03/11/1361845/mb-man-sentenced-to-six-years.html   more...

Two students sentenced for role in firework incident

America. Two Michigan State University freshmen were sentenced in Ingham County Circuit Court for their roles in setting off a firework in an empty front yard of an East Lansing house in Nov. 1, 2009, each to 18 months of probation, 40 hours of community service and fined $613. According to court testimony, the students drove to 436 Grove St. and one of them tossed a golf-ball-sized mortar into the front yard. The explosion could be heard a few blocks away.

Source: "Two MSU students sentenced for role in firework incident", 3.3.2010, http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20100303/NEWS01/303030004

Fireworks co. fined for July 4th fatality in Quakertown

America. A fireworks company has been fined more than $4,000 in connection with the death of an employee who was killed during an accidental explosion at Quakertown's Fourth of July 2009 display. Zambelli Fireworks Manufacturing Co. had to pay $4,200 because the 8-inch mortar that delivered the fatal blast was not buried at least three quarters of its length in the ground and because employees were not wearing hard hats while igniting fireworks.

Source: "Fireworks co. fined for July 4^th fatality in Quakertown", 30.1.2010, http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/news_details/article/92/2010/january/30/fireworks-co-fined-for-july-4th-fatality-in-quakertown.html

Man charged in fireworks explosion that injured him and his daughter

America. The Maryland Fire Marshal's Office arrested a Chesapeake City man in connection with a New Year's Eve fireworks incident that injured him and his daughter.

Harry D. Maguire Jr. (49), was cited January 25, 2010, with reckless endangerment and possession and discharge of fireworks without a permit. Maguire was seriously injured in his home on Elk Road when a commercial explosive prematurely exploded in his left hand, severely damaging it. Maguire's 22-year-old daughter was also injured by the blast, suffering cuts and burns.

Source: "Md. man charged in explosion that injured him, daughter", 26.1.2010, http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20100126/NEWS01/100126025/Md.+man+charged+in+explosion+that+injured+him++daughter

Three-year ban for teen who threw a lit firework

England. A teenager (16) who threw a lit firework on to the pitch during the Burton-Bury match at Burton's Pirelli Stadium October 2009 has been banned from football grounds for three years. He was also fined £75 and ordered to pay £465 in costs.

Source: "Firework teen's three-year ban", 22.1.2010, http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/news/Firework-teen-s-year-ban/article-1745647-detail/article.html

Anger over fireworks gets man 7 year's probation

Bethlehem/America. A 52-year-old will serve seven years of probation for reckless endangerment and terroristic threats. Police said the man brandished a shotgun while approaching a small group of neighbors in the 1500 block of Carlisle Street, Bethlehem, because he was angry over their Fourth of July (2009) fireworks.

Source: "Anger over fireworks gets man 7 years' probation", 10.1.2010, http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-a10_4fireworks.7142444jan10,0,3433225.story

Man uses homemade explosive to blow up clothes dryer

Port Acres/America. Police officers and firefighters found a blown up clothes dryer at a home in the 2300 block of 62^nd St. that was destroyed by a homemade explosive device in a vacant lot. Debris from the explosion was scattered over most of the lot, which was in a residential neighborhood. A 29-year-old man was arrested and charged with Prohibited Weapon/Explosive Weapon, a 3^rd degree felony. 2.1.2010

Source: "Police say Port Acres man uses homemade explosive to blow up clothes dryer", 3.1.2010, http://www.kfdm.com/news/explosive-35980-clothes-dryer.html

Community work for firework prank

England. A teenager who fired a rocket at a row of shops in York must work with members of the community for three months in a bid to reform his behaviour, magistrates have ordered. They gave the 15-year-old boy a three-month referral order for his dangerous prank in Burlington Avenue, Tang Hall. The boy pleaded guilty at York Youth Court to firing a firework into a road on November 5, 2009, contrary to the Explosives Act 1875.

Source: 

"Teenager fired rocket at shops in Tang Hall", 1.1.2010, http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/4828132.Teenager_fired_rocket_at_shops_in_Tang_Hall/ 

"Tang Hall firework teen to undertake community work", 15.1.2010, http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/4852973.Firework_teen_to_undertake_community_work/

12-year-old charged in fireworks attack

Willacy County/America. A 12-year-old boy was arrested and jailed at the Darrel Hester Detention Center on December 29, 2009. The boy is charged with aggravated assault, causing serious bodily injury. Willacy County Sheriff said the charges stem from an December 22^nd incident where the 12-year-old stuck fireworks down a 10-year-old boy's shirt. The fireworks exploded and the 10-year-old suffered second-degree burns. A hearing will be held December 30, 2009, to determine whether to keep the 12-year-old at the detention centre or if he will be released to his parents.

Source:

"Twelve-Year-Old charged in fireworks attack", 29.12.2009,

http://www.krgv.com/news/local/story/Twelve-Year-Old-Charged-in-Fireworks-Attack/1-or7paEDUClHW1NNMAijg.cspx

"Sebastian boy held for fireworks attack", 29.12.2009, http://www.valleycentral.com/news/story.aspx?id=395012

Throwing a firecracker onto the roadway from a moving vehicle

Annville/America. Richard A. Kalapos, 19, of 1137 W. Main St, Apt.6, Annville, was sentenced to the county prison for two weeks to 23 months and fined $250 for throwing a firecracker onto the roadway from a moving vehicle.

Source: "Annville man set to prison for threatening his mother", 18.12.2009, http://www.ldnews.com/news/ci_14027101

Fireworks factory owners jailed for UK firefighter deaths

England. December 18, 2009, the owner of a fireworks company and his son were jailed after being convicted of the manslaughter of two firemen killed in a huge blast at their family-run company. Martin Winter (52) was handed a seven-year jail term and his son Nathan Winter (25) was sentenced to five years for the deaths of retained firefighter Geoff Wicker (49) and support officer Brian Wembridge (63). The pair, both long-serving members of East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, died in the blast at Festival Fireworks UK Ltd at Marlie Farm in Shortgate, near Lewes, England, on December 3, 2006. Following a five-week trial at Lewes Crown Court, both Martin and Nathan Winter were found to be “grossly negligent” through knowing an unlicensed metal container packed with fireworks could explode if a blaze broke out. Their firm, now called Alpha Fireworks Ltd, was convicted of two counts of health and safety breaches in connection with the blast, which injured some 20 others, mainly police and fire officers. It was fined £ 30,000.

Source: 

"Fireworkpair jailed for UK firefighter deaths", 18.12.2009, http://www.firerescue1.com/fire-attack/articles/682886-Firework-pair-jailed-for-UK-firefighter-deaths/ "Fireworks factory owners jailed for UK LODDs", 18.12.2009, http://www.firehouse.com/topics/news/fireworks-factory-owners-jailed-uk-lodds

Club blaze begun by DJ's firework

Edinburgh/England. A DJ (33) started a blaze inside a nightclub by launching a firework in the building during a Hogmanay disco. Blazing debris fell from the ceiling of Edinburgh's Luna club moments after the midnight bells between 2008 and 2009. Three people suffered burns from molten plastic and required medical attention. The DJ was fined £1,000 at Edinburgh Sheriff Court December 15, 2009. He was due to stand trial, but admitted responsibility for fire safety failures at the Picardy Place venue on 1 January, 2009. - The decision to use fireworks indoors with no risk assessment carried out to consider the implications, put the lives of 400 clubbers celebrating the end of the year in serious jeopardy.

Source:

"Club blaze begun by DJ's firework", 16.12.2009, http://news.scotsman.com/edinburgh/Club-blaze-begun-by-DJs.5914546.jp 

"DJ in 'financial ruin' after disco fireworks inferno", 16.12.2009, http://deadlinescotland.wordpress.com/2009/12/15/12361-2347/

Youth in court over firework blaze

St. Boswells, Scotland/United Kingdom. A youth (17) has appeared in court accused of starting a blaze which caused damage of £20,000 to a house after a firework was pushed through its letterbox. He has been charged with culpable and reckless fire-raising after the incident at Weirgate Brae in St Boswells on November 11, 2009.

Source:

"Man in court over firework blaze", 12.11.2009, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/south_of_scotland/8357372.stm 

"Town left shocked after arson attack", 12.11.2009, http://www.bordertelegraph.com/news/roundup/articles/2009/11/12/394048-town-left-shocked-after-arson-attack/

Man charged after fireworks start four fires

Covington/America. Prosecutors have filed felony reckless burning charges against a Covington man accused of damaging four homes while misusing illegal fireworks. In filings with King County Superior Court, prosecutors contend Wesley J. King burned down one house and did $17,600 in damage to another on July 4 after trying to launch a mortar. King was charged earlier this month with first-degree reckless burning. He has not been jailed in the case.

Source: "Covington man charged after fireworks start four fires", 24.11.2009, http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattle911/archives/186176.asp%3Ffrom%3Dblog_last3&ct=ga&cd=9zSvj-leShA&usg=AFQjCNGfRF9MUZHW_7CTfw9xzI6ZOCvzpQ

Teen detained for throwing a firework

England. A 17-year-old who threw a firework at police officers and firefighters has been sentenced to six months' detention. The teenager, who was 16 at the time of the offence,  previously admitted culpably and recklessly throwing the firework at emergency service staff on November 5, 2008, in a grass area near Eday Road in Summerhill, Aberdeen.

Source:

"Teen detained for throwing a firework", 24.7.2009, http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1321841?UserKey= 

"Firework attacker gets six months", 24.7.2009, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/north_east/8165498.stm

Man charged in fireworks injury

America. A man (38) was arrested and charged on July 9, 2009, in Dodge County with felonies as a result of his alleged use of illegal homemade fireworks that injured Ioma Sukstorf, an 80-year-old Fremont woman over the Fourth of July weekend.

David J. Parr is accused of three felonies – second-degree assault, possession of a destructive device and use of an explosive device to commit a felony. He also faces a misdemeanor charge of being in possession of illegal fireworks.

Ioma Sukstorf is in critical condition after being hit in the jaw by a piece of metal that broke off "a makeshift cannon" being fired about 80 feet away, when she was sitting on the porch of her Platte River home at 1799 S. Ridge Road at the time of the incident.

Source: "Man charged in fireworks injury", 10.7.2009, http://www.omaha.com/article/20090710/NEWS01/707109912/0/FRONTPAGE

Man convicted of killing man during fireworks dispute

Renton/America. July 9, 2009, a King County jury found Yobachi Frazier (30) guilty of first-degree murder for fatally shooting another man during a Fourth of July celebration in 2007.

Yobachi Frazier was accused of shooting Don Dowlen in the parking lot of Ezell's Chicken in the Skyway neighborhood in Renton. According to King County prosecutors, Frazier and Dowlen got into an argument after Dowlen kicked over one of Frazier's fireworks. Dowlen was apparently upset because the firework was ignited too close to his girlfriend's car. During the argument, Frazier pulled out a gun a shot Dowlen.

Source: "Renton man convicted of killing man during fireworks dispute", 9.7.2009, http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/theblotter/2009440957_renton_man_convicted_of_killin.html

Man charged after firecracker blows off part of son's finger

A Lorain County (Ohio) father will have to perform community service after his 12-year-old son had part of his finger blown off by an exploding firework.  

Earlier this month his son lit a Roman candle firecracker and it exploded in his hand. The tip of the boy's little finger is missing and he had third-degree burns on his palm.

The man pleaded guilty in court. He was charged because his son is a minor. The man faced a $400 fine and 30 days in jail. Instead, he will perform one day of community service.  

Source: "Man charged after firecracker blows off part of son's finger", 17.6.2009, http://www.newsnet5.com/news/19780947/detail.html

Teenager in firework death trial

England. A teenager is standing trial charged with killing a 93-year-old Harrogate woman in a firework blaze.

Scott Hamson (18) denies the manslaughter of Yuen Har Ho.

Two 14-year-olds and a 17-year-old have already admitted their part in the killing.

The woman died in hospital seven weeks after the blaze at her flat in Newby Crescent, Harrogate on November 1, 2008.

The prosecutor said the four teenagers moved a bin and positioned it in front of the doors leading to Mrs Ho's groundfloor flat. Then the 17-year-old lit a firework and placed it into the bin. The woman was taken from her severely smoke-damaged flat to hospital; suffering from severe smoke inhalation and died on December 20, 2008.

Source: "Leeds teenager in firework death trial", 23.4.2009, http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/Leeds-teenager-in-firework-death.5201239.jp

Man fined for July 4 fireworks explosion

America. A man (38) was arrested July 4, 2008, after a cache of illegal fireworks he had stored under a boat at Hansen Lake were ignited by a stray firework that landed nearby and injured a girl (16). He now was sentenced on misdemeanor charges of second-degree criminal trespassing and using explosives without a permit and has been fined $150.

Source: "Neb. Man fined for July 4 fireworks explosion", 9.4.2009, http://www.nebraska.tv/Global/story.asp?S=10161056

Man charged with arson

Columbus/America. Anoka County prosecutors filed an arson charge against a Forest Lake volunteer firefighter accused of intentionally setting a grassfire. The 40-year-old allegedly used a firework to start a fire April 6, 2009, in the Carlos Avery Wildlife Management Area in the city of Columbus. The fire burned more than 1,500 acres of land.

Source:

"Forest Lake firefighter charged, under scrutiny from start", 8.4.2009, http://kstp.com/news/stories/S871177.shtml?cat=1

"Witnesses help catch fireman accused of starting Anoka Co. grass fire", 8.4.2009, http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=594967

Man jailed over firework death

England. Jason McAnally (22) who caused the death of a friend by setting off a firework in the flat where he was sleeping has been jailed for more than three years.

Source: "Man jailed over firework death", 28.3.2009, http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5gTCI1UzlsXyDoMwnRmAqvKSzLYVg   more...

Three teens charged with arson

Carlisle/America. Two Nicholas County High School students set off fireworks as a prank near the porch of a teacher's home on Walnut Grove Road on March 18, 2009. Hours later, the sparks from those fireworks led to flames in the attic of the home. The house was a total loss. Apparently, sparks from the earlier fireworks explosion had gone through the eaves of the roof and into the attic, where insulation smoldered and caused the fire to spread. – One teen (18) has been charged with third-degree arson and criminal mischief, the other 18-year-old has been charged with one count of criminal trespass. A 17-year-old boy was also charged with criminal trespass.

Source:

"Three teens charged with arson in Nicholas County fire", 19.3.2009, http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29777417/ 

"Two students charged in arson fire that destroyed teacher's home", 20.3.2009, http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29780801/

"A third student is charged in fire at Nicholas Co. teacher's house", 20.3.2009, http://www.kentucky.com/news/state/story/731595.html

Man killed sleeping friend by setting off rocket in bedroom

United Kingdom. Sean Keenan (21) died in a fire after his friend Jason McAnally (22) tried to wake him up by setting off a firework in his bedroom at Mill Street in Ayr (Scotland) on November 9, 2008 at around 4 a.m. The firework set fire to discarded clothing on the floor and a blaze broke out in the flat where Mr Keenan was sleeping. Mr Keenan died from smoke inhalation. Firefighters found the victim apparently dead beneath a bedroom window. - McAnally was originally charged with murder but today admitted the reduced charge of culpable homicide. McAnally is sentenced at the end of the month.

Source:

"Man admits party prank fire death", 3.3.2009, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7921127.stm 

"Former soldier killed friend by trying to wake him with firework", 3.3.2009, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/scotland/4933524/Former-soldier-killed-friend-by-trying-to-wake-him-with-firework.html

"Reveller killed sleeping friend by setting off rocket in bedroom", 4.3.2009, http://news.scotsman.com/scotland/Reveller-killed-sleeping-friend-by.5035016.jp

Student charged in fireworks explosion

America. A University of Cincinnati student was arrested and charged with inducing panic and criminal use of an explosive device for an on-campus explosion near two residence halls on December 12, 2008. The man said, he lit a "rather large firework" and the explosion caused panic among residents at Calhoun and Siddall Halls.

Source: "Student charged in explosion", 24.2.2009, http://www.newsrecord.org/sections/news/student_charged_in_explosion-1.1571550

Man fined for throwing lit firework from his vehicle

England. A man (22) was fined £1,350 for throwing a lit firework from his vehicle on to Craigs Road in Ellon, on November 22, 2008, near a crowd of people. 5.2.2009

Source: "Man fined for throwing lit firework from his vehicle", 6.2.2009, http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1065560?UserKey=

Man, who set fire by lighting a homemade firework, sentenced

America. January 28, 2009, the judge ordered a 20-year-old, who set the September 2007 Spring Meadow Lake fire by lighting a homemade firework, to pay $764,000 in restitution for damages incurred in the 44-acre blaze and firefighting efforts. The man received a two-year deferred imposition of sentence on the charge as well.

The man set off a cannon-like firework in the parking lot of the Kessler Brewery, sparking the fire, which destroyed two vacant homes and prompted the evacuation of about 500 residents. The blaze charred most of the vegetation around the lake.

There were about 120 fire personnel fighting the fire, along with 25 firefighting vehicles, two helicopters and a spotter plane.

Source:

"Spring Meadow arsonist sentenced", 28.1.2009, http://www.helenair.com/articles/2009/01/28/top/54lo_090128_arsonist.txt

"Man sentenced in Spring Meadow Lake fire case", 29.1.2009, http://www.helenair.com/articles/2009/01/29/top/60lo_090129_sentence.txt

Men charged with arson after firework they shot off started a blaze

Coylestown/America. Two men (37, 24) are charged with arson after a 2-inch diameter firework they shot off started a blaze and burned down a garage at a Philadelphia-area car rental business. Officers said the two were shooting fireworks in a vacant lot when one landed in some brush and burned the garage at Thompson-Rent-a-Car. Siding also melted off the neighboring Cycle Sports bicycle shop.

Source: "Firework sparks Phila. Car rental fire", 7.1.2009, http://cbs3.com/topstories/fire.firework.philadelphia.2.901862.html

Firework hooligans punished for horse's death

Ijsselmuiden near Zwolle/Netherlands. Four teenagers, who caused a horse to injure itself so severely that it died, are being punished by being made to observe the animal's corpse. The boys, the youngest aged 12 and the oldest 15, terrified the horse by setting fireworks off close to it. The animal bolted, slipped and broke three of its legs.

Source: "Firework hooligans punished for horse's death", 31.12.2008, http://www.radionetherlands.nl/news/zijlijn/6117722/Firework-hooligans-punished-for-horses-death

6 Chinese given jail time in fatal fireworks blast

China. Six people have been sentenced to jail for the August 30, 2008 blast at the Xinxin Firework Plant in Inner Mongolia that killed 17 people, injured three others and destroyed 50 workshops. Two owners of the plant were each given five-year terms, while the safety manager was given four years and three other workers were sentenced to between three and three-and-a-half years. A violation of safety regulations was blamed for the incident.

Source: "6 Chinese given jail time in fatal fireworks blast", 21.12.2008, http://www.gmanews.tv/story/140545/6-Chinese-given-jail-time-in-fatal-fireworks-blast

Youth arrested on arson charge

Shreveport/America. A 19-year-old accused of intentionally setting off fireworks in a vacant home at 715 Dalzell St. on Dec. 16, 2008 and causing a fire, was charged with simple arson.

Source: "Man arrested on arson charge", 23.12.2008, http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20081223/NEWS03/81223026

2007 Port Richey fireworks tent explosion sends man to prison

America. Late on July 4, 2007, a man (41) lit a $130 mortar-style firework, causing a chain reaction inside the Galaxy Fireworks tent set up on U.S. 19 just south of State Road 52 in Port Richey. Some $70,000 of fireworks product got shot in the sky in the tent explosion. Another customer and her 5-year-old son ran for their lives. They filed a lawsuit against the man and Galaxy Fireworks in July; the case is still pending. December 5, 2008, the man was sentenced to 3 ½ years in prison and also was ordered to pay back almost $40,000 to Galaxy Fireworks and its insurance company.

Source: "2007 Port Richey fireworks tent explosion sends Tampa man to prison", 6.12.2008, http://www.tampabay.com/news/courts/criminal/article927726.ece

Father on probation for fireworks that burned son

America. December 4, 2008, the father (38) of a 3-year-old boy who suffered 2^nd- and 3^rd-degree burns during an illegal fireworks display on July 4, 2008, in Leominster, was given probation.

For the single count of illegal possession of fireworks, the judge ordered the man to make a $100 contribution to a hospital. For the charge of reckless endangerment of a child he was ordered to perform 25 hours of community service at a burn hospital, fire prevention program or school, or all three, as well as be involved in some other meaningful public service program in which he speaks about the dangers of fireworks. The nature of the public service was intentionally left open-ended.

Source:

"Father gets probation in Leominster fireworks case", 5.12.2008, http://www.telegram.com/article/20081205/NEWS/812050346/1003/NEWS03 

"Father on probation for fireworks that burned son", 5.12.2008, http://news.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view/2008_12_05_Father_on_probation_for_fireworks_that_burned_son/srvc=home&position=recent

Man accused  of unlicensed manufacturing of fireworks

America. A man (55) is accused of unlicensed manufacturing of fireworks. On May 10, 2008, he caused an accidental fire and explosion at his Grange Avenue residence in Mount Vernon. In the course of the fire investigation, it was determined that the man allegedly had components to manufacture fireworks in his basement.

Source: "Thirteen indicted by December grand jury", 4.12.2008, http://www.mountvernonnews.com/local/08/12/04/Thirteen-indicted-by-December-grand-jury

Man gets jail time for firework blast that nearly cost boy his leg

America. December 2, 2008, the man whose homemade fireworks nearly killed 11-year-old Bridger Hunt was sentenced to 180 days in jail and also to serve three years probation. The boy, now 12, was nearly killed by shrapnel from the homemade explosive on July 24,2008, as he was riding his bicycle near his grandparent's Lehi home.

Source:

"Man gets jail term in fireworks accident", 2.12.2008, http://www.localnews8.com/Global/story.asp?S=9445057&nav=menu554_10_4 

"Lehi man gets jailtime for injuring boy with fireworks", 2.12.2008, http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,705267558,00.html 

"Man gets jail time for firework blast that nearly cost boy his leg", 2.12.2008, http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_11120049

Fireworks baby case - teenager is charged

England. A youth (16) from Carfin has been charged with throwing a burning firework into a baby girl's pram outside J&M newsagents and food store in Carfin Street, New Stevenson on November 3, 2008.

Man sentenced for manslaughter

America. A man charged with manslaughter on September 19, 2008, will spend the next 13 years behind bars. He repeatedly stabbed Rashon Stanley to death on July 4, 2007 in Syracuse, N.Y., during a dispute which started after Stanley threw a firecracker into a crowd of people. 

Source: "A Syracuse man sentenced for manslaughter", 19.9.2008, http://www.570wsyr.com/cc-common/news/sections/newsarticle.html?feed=&article=4269208

Man sentenced to two years for fireworks explosion

Macedonia/America. A man (35) was given two years in prison by Summit County Court on September 16, 2008, after causing an explosion on April 22, 2008, when about 5 pounds of chemicals he was mixing for making fireworks, exploded in the backyard of the home, where he lived with his mother. He and his mother, who were inside the house, were uninjured, but the back of the house was heavily damaged and nearby houses were damaged by shrapnel. About 100 residents were evacuated for six hours.

Source: "Man sentenced to two years for fireworks explosion", 17.9.2008, http://www.the-news-leader.com/news/article/4412151

Man sentenced to three years in prison for throwing a flare at basketball game

Israel. September 15, 2008, a Jerusalem court sentenced a man to three years in prison and one year probation for throwing a flare onto a basketball court November 11, 2007, which caused physical injury to a security guard during a game between Hapoel Jerusalem and Hapoel Holon. The court also ordered the man to pay NIS 150,000 in compensation to the security guard, who lost two fingers when he picked up the flare and it exploded in his hand.   more...
Source: "Court sentences man who threw flare at basketball game to three years in prison", 15.9.2008, http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1021311.html

Family files lawsuit in fireworks case

America/A mother and son injured in 2007's fireworks tent explosion filed suit this week in Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Court against Galaxy Fireworks Inc. and Tony Glenn Rogers, who awaits trial on one felony count of arson. The boy was 5 on July 4, 2007, when Rogers ignited a $130 mortar-style firework, which created a chain-reaction that destroyed $70,000 of fireworks inside the tent at 10933 U.S. 19.

Source: "Family files lawsuit against owner of Galaxy Fireworks tent", 24.7.2008, http://www.tampabay.com/news/briefs/article735846.ece

Juvenile arrested in firecracker assault

Alcoa/America. Detectives arrested July 22, 2008, one of three males who were accused of launching fireworks into a woman's car – setting her on fire and badly burning her – on July 5, 2008. The 17-year-old was arrested on a charge of delinquency by aggravated assault.

Source: "Juvenile arrested in firecracker assault", 22.7.2008, http://www.thedailytimes.com/article/20080722/BREAKING/232190976

Families file suit against casino over deadly fireworks explosion

Worley, ID/America. The families of two Coeur d'Alene Casino employees killed in a fireworks explosion two years ago have filed a lawsuit against the Coeur d'Alene Tribe and more than a dozen companies.

Richard Stokes and Donald Hanson were working in a storage container near the casino when it exploded two years ago. Following the deadly explosion investigators found three propane tanks among 153 firework shells left over from the previous year inside the storage container.

Source: "Families file suit against casino over deadly explosion", 16.7.2008, http://www.kxly.com/Global/story.asp?S=8681477

Firework blaze pair spared jail

Oxford/England. Two teenager (19, 18) started a fire by pushing a firework through the letter box of a home in Ramsay Road October 2007, while a family of four slept upstairs. The older admitted reckless arson, while the younger was found guilty of the charge June 2008. The judge gave the older 300 hours and the younger 240 hours unpaid community service plus they are placed under a night-time curfew for six months and ordered to each pay £5,000 to the victims.

Source: "Firework blaze pair spared jail", 11.7.2008, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/oxfordshire/7502026.stm

Mother faces criminal charges in son's fireworks injuries

Oakland/America. A mother (26) was charged July 11, 2008, with felony child endangerment after her 4-year-old son, who was at home alone, set off a large firecracker he found on a table on July 10, 2008. The boy lost the thumb and three fingers on his right hand, shattered an eardrum and was blinded in his right eye in the explosion in his home in the 1100 block of 65^th Avenue. Police said particles of skin and bone fragments were found on the walls, ceiling and on the floor of the apartment.

Source:

"4-year-old child left home alone sets off fireworks and suffers severe hand and eye injuries", 10.7.2008, http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_9846074 

"4-year-old child left home alone is severely injured by fireworks", 10.7.2008, http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/07/10/BAEQ11NGDF.DTL 

"Oakland mom faces criminal charges in son's fireworks injuries", 12.7.2008, http://origin.insidebayarea.com/ci_9860449

Two men jailed over phone box explosion

Cadbury Heath/England. Two men who detonated a firework in a phone box in School Road December 2007, blowing it up with the force of a small car bomb, have been jailed. Cars and buildings were damaged and windows smashed. - One man (21) was jailed for four years after pleading guilty to destroying property and being reckless as to whether life was endangered in the incident in December 2007. The other man (19) was sent to a young offenders' institution for 18 months after admitting causing criminal damage. 8.7.2008

Source: "Two men jailed over Cadbury Heath phone box explosion", 9.7.2008, http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=144913&command=displayContent&sourceNode=231190&home=yes&more_nodeId1=144922&contentPK=21045528

Teen charged for fireworks that burned toddlers in car

Fort Myers, Fla/America. A teenager in a group of young adults and teens on the sidewalk threw a lit mortar-type firework (one meant to be shot through a tube) through the open rear window in a car driving by. The firework exploded in the backseat, igniting the blanket two little children were sitting on.

The 1-year-old boy suffered burns over 12 to 15 percent of his body, including his legs, right arm and left hand. His 3-year-old sister suffered burns over 6 percent of her body, mostly on her left leg.

The teenager (16) was arrested; he is charged with one count of throwing or discharging a destructive device resulting in bodily harm, a first-degree felony punishable by up to life in prison. 4.7.2008 

Source:

"One-year-old and two-year-old burned when firework shot into car", 5.7.2008, http://www.winknews.com/news/local/23511859.html 

"Mother of 2 children burned by fireworks seeks justice", 9.7.2008, http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/jul/09/mother-2-children-burned-fireworks-seeks-justice/ 

"Teen arrested for allegedly injuring children with fireworks", 14.7.2008, http://www.winknews.com/news/local/25397324.html

"Teen accused of tossing fireworks into car arrested", 14.7.2008, http://www.abc-7.com/articles/readnews.asp?articleid=20391&z=2

"Teen charged for fireworks that burned toddlers in car. Suspect could face life in prison if convicted", 15.7.2008, http://news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080715/NEWS01/807150393

Man fires shotgun at pair shooting off fireworks

Topeka/America. Police say a man (36) who was angry about two people shooting off fireworks in his neighborhood in the 1500 block of S.E. 42^nd responded by firing a shotgun at the pair, missing them. The man was arrested in connection with two counts each of aggravated assault and attempted second-degree murder and one count each of battery to a law enforcement officer and obstructing justice. 4.7.2008

Source: "Police: Man fires shotgun at pair shooting off fireworks", 6.7.2008, http://www.cjonline.com/stories/070608/loc_300501438.shtml

Officer says man aimed bottle rocket at her

Murfreesboro, Tenn/America. A man lit a bottle rocket, aimed it toward an officer and acted like he was going to throw it at her. The officer arrested the man, who faces multiple charges including aggravated assault. – The officer suffered hearing loss and a concussion last year when someone threw a mortar firework at her and another officer. 4.7.2008

Source: "Officer says man aimed bottle rocket at her", 8.7.2008, http://www.wsmv.com/news/16825168/detail.html

Man fired shotgun over fireworks dispute

Marengo/America. A man was shooting fireworks in his backyard for the Fourth of July when his neigbor appeared across the street with a shotgun. The neighbor (42), annoyed about the fireworks, allegedly fired the shotgun at least four times above the other man's house. Police charged the neighbor with reckless conduct.

Source: "Police say Marengo man fired shotgun over fireworks dispute", 11.7.2008, http://www.nwherald.com/articles/2008/07/12/news/local/doc487830e3ef4b7050208814.txt

Man arrested for fireworks blaze

Lumberton/America. A man (48) has been charged for starting a fire that caused the evacuation of 12 units at Dorado Gardens Apartments on Eayrestown on July 4, 2008, with criminal mischief and causing widespread injury or damage. The man allegedly started the fire when setting off fireworks. 4.7.2008

Source:

"Arrest made in fireworks-sparked blaze", 7.7.2008, http://www.nj.com/centraljersey/index.ssf/2008/07/arrest_made_in_fireworkssparke.html 

"Man arrested for fireworks blaze", 9.7.2008, http://www.nj.com/southjersey/index.ssf/2008/07/man_arrested_for_fireworks_bla.html

Man arrested after fireworks hit unmarked police cruiser

Rochester, N.H./America. A man (21) was arrested after he lit a Roman Candle-type firework and fired it at a passing vehicle, that was an unmarked police cruiser, near the corner of Columbus Avenue and Dreyer Way. He got a charge of reckless conduct. 3.7.2008

Source:

"Rochester man charged after fireworks strike to unmarked cruiser", 5.7.2008, http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080705/GJNEWS_01/505503861/-1/FOSNEWS

"Rochester man arrested after fireworks hit unmarked cruiser", 7.7.2008, http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=8626597&nav=4QcRELCl

Teenager modified firework

Modesto, Calif/America. A fire that caused $30,000 in damage to a home in the 1900 block of Tradewinds Court, was started after a teenager (17) modified a "Piccolo Pete", which is only supposed to whistle, and placed it inside a 20-ounce plastic soda bottle. Once it exploded, it flew about 50 feet from his launching area through the air, causing a neighbor's house to catch fire. – The teenager was cited with a misdemeanor charge on suspicion of using an altered firework. 1.7.2008

Source:

"Firework causes $30,000 in damage to Modesto home; teen arrested", 2.7.2008, http://www.modbee.com/local/story/347309.html

"Firework shot in air, catches house on fire", 2.7.2008, http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,700239982,00.html

Charges of possessing an explosive device and possessing the parts for such devices

Lehi/America. A man (32) was booked into the Utah County Jail on July 1, 2008, on charges of possessing an explosive, chemical or incendiary device, and possessing the parts for such devices. Before his arrest, he was treated at hospital for cuts to his hand and stomach he got when a homemade pipe bomb blew up in his hand in the night of June 30, 2008.

Source: "Lehi man hurt by homemade pipe bomb", 2.7.2008, http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/271946/

Four men arrested for fireworks assault

Philadelphia, PA/America. Four men (18, 23, 27, 25) are facing charges after bombarding from a driving car a family with M-100s, powerful and illegal fireworks, on June 30, 2008. A boy (13) suffered a first degree-burn and a woman had trouble hearing.

Source: "Four men arrested for fireworks assault", 2.7.2008, http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/usworld/news-article.aspx?storyid=112803&catid=6

Teenager arrested for arson

Graham/America. A teenager (19) was arrested June 26, 2008, and charged with arson after allegedly starting a 78-acre grass fire on Flat Rock Road by throwing lit fireworks out the window of his van while driving to and from his house in the area.

Source: "Graham teenager arrested for arson", 3.7.2008, http://www.grahamleader.com/news/get-news.asp?id=13089&catid=1&cpg=get-news.asp

Families sue over 2006 explosion at Coeur d'Alene Casion

The families of two men killed in a fireworks explosion at Coeur d'Alene Casino have accused on June 30, 2008, the Coeur d'Alene Tribe and Casino, and several companies of negligence.

A state inspection determined leaky propane tanks contributed to the June 26, 2006, explosion that killed maintenance workers Richard E. Stokes (49) and Donald S. Hanson (56) and said the explosion likely was intensified by the fireworks stored in the same metal container as the tanks.

The lawsuit details the accusations against the tribe and the companies that supplied the propane and fireworks, which range from improper storage to neglecting to warn employees about the danger of storing propane with fireworks.

Source:

"Survivors sue in fireworks blast at casino (The Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Wash.)", 2.7.2008, http://www.hotel-online.com/News/2008_Jul_02/k.SRC.1215015280.html

"Families sue over 2006 explosion at Coeur d'Alene Casino", 2.7.2008, http://www.koze950.com/2008/07/02/families-sue-over-2006-explosion-at-coeur-dalene-casino/

Clerks charged in sale of fireworks that started house fire

Hoffman Estates/America. A fire at a house in the 4100 block of Victoria Drive caused some structural damage, but no one was injured. Officers determined the fire was most likely sparked by the careless use of fireworks by a minor. - Two clerks at the store where the fireworks may have been sold to the juvenile, were cited for a violation of the village ordinance regarding the illegal sale and possession of fireworks. 18.6.2008

Source: "Clerks charged in sale of fireworks that started house fire", 19.6.2008, http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/couriernews/news/1015218,EL19_FIREWORKS_WEB_061908.article

Teens charged in library fire from firecracker

America. June 17, 2008, four teenage boys (16, 16, 15, 15) were charged with delinquency counts of vandalism with causing more than $500,000 in damage by throwing a firecracker into a book deposit in an exterior wall of the Wells Public Library in the village of Albany (Athens County, Ohio) on June 14, 2008. The resulting fire spread to part of the library and flooded the building with smoke.

Source: "Four teens charged in library fire from firecracker", 17.6.2008, http://www.columbusdispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/06/17/library.html?sid=101

Fireworks factory owner charged overdeaths of firefighters

England. A fireworks factory owner (50) and his son (23), were each charged on June 8, 2008, with two counts of manslaughter of two firefighters who died as a result of explosions and a blaze at a firework depot at Alpha Fireworks Ltd (known at the time as Festival Fireworks UK Ltd) at Marlie Farm in East-Sussex on December 3, 2006. - The company has been summonsed for breaches of the manufacture and storage of Explosive Regulations 2005.

Source:

"Firefighter deaths: owner charged", 9.6.2008, http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5i0bxkg2TLmy32AK0mmW6DhLCt6jQ

"Fireworks factory owner charged over deaths of firefighters", 9.6.2008, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/2100262/Fireworks-factory-owner-charged-over-deaths-of-firefighters.html

Youths jailed over firework arson raid on pal's house

England. Two teenagers have been jailed for an arson attack on a friend's home on November 15, 2007, which left him terrified he would be "burned alive". About 1am, the friend was dozing and and was awakened by a bang. A firework had been pushed through the letterbox of his home in Nathaniel Road, Long Eaton. June 2008, the teenagers (18 and 19) were each given 12 months' youth custody.

Source: "Youths jailed over firework arson raid on pal's house",18.6.2008, http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/news/Youths-jailed-firework-arson-raid-pal-s-house/article-191674-detail/article.html

Man charged with felony for fireworks stunt

America. A Greene County man (22) allegedly tied a group of sparklers together and ignited them in a road while a friend videotaped the resulting explosion. He was charged May 29, 2008, with unlawful possession of a weapon, a class C felony. Authorities allege he "altered, modified or combined" legal fireworks to form an incendiary device.

Source: "Man charged with felony for fireworks stunt", 30.5.2008, http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080530/NEWS01/805300359/1007

Juveniles charged with animal cruelty after spooking horse with fireworks

Suffolk, VA/America. Suffolk police have filed animal cruelty charges against a 17-year-old girl and her 14-year-old brother for using fireworks to intentionally frighten a horse that was being walked on a lead by a 12-year-old girl. When the horse heard the noise it was so scared it ran off and injured itself. 5.4.2008

Source:

"Two juveniles arrested after spooking horse with fireworks", 8.4.2008, http://www.wavy.com/Global/story.asp?S=8128677&nav=23iidz1W 

"Juveniles charged with animal cruelty after spooking horse with fireworks", 7.4.2008, http://www.wtkr.com/Global/story.asp?S=8128564&nav=ZolHbyvj

"Fireworks spooked horse in Suffolk; juveniles charged", 7.4.2008, http://www.wvec.com/news/suffolk/stories/wvec_local_040708_horse_spook_fireworks.3e4b2d50.html

Brothers in firework attack on car receive suspended sentences

England. Following a dispute in October 2007, Robert Ball (40) and his brother Richard Ball (36) had found a car parked in a small private car park at Frome Road, in Odd Down, and had smashed a window and let off a firework inside the car. Both men were arrested.

Robert Ball was given a three-month sentence, suspended for 12 months, and was put under a four-month curfew order and ordered to pay £60 costs by Bath Magistrates on March 31, 2008.

Source: "Brothers in firework attack on car receive suspended sentences", 3.4.2008, http://www.thisisbath.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=163490&command=displayContent&sourceNode=163316&contentPK=20298712&folderPk=89126&pNodeId=163047

Company fines for fireworks mishap

Australia. A pyrotechnics firm has been fined $15,000 after a mislabelled rocket struck a guard during a fireworks display for a millionaire's birthday in Adelaide. A security guard was hit in the back of the head when the rocket overshot a safety one near more than 100 people who had gathered in Victoria Square for the birthday of a millionaire in June 2005. SafeWork SA found one of Howard and Sons pyrotechnics' employees had wrongly labelled the rocket as having a trajectory of 30 metres – rather than 120 metres.

Source:

"Company fines for fireworks mishap", 25.3.2008, http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/03/25/2198681.htm?section=justin

"Fine over millionaire's firework mishap", 25.3.2008, http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23429403-29277,00.html

Teens throwing firecrackers from a car at two women

Southampton Township, PA/America. Two teens (17) were observed throwing firecrackers from a car at two women who were riding their bicycles. They were charged with disorderly conduct and fireworks violations. 8.3.2008

Source: "Firecrackers get Ship teens in trouble", 9.3.2008, http://www.cumberlink.com/articles/2008/03/09/breaking_news/breaking960.txt

Youth who threw a firework into a shop now sentenced

A youth who threw a live firework into the All Pets shop in Stonehouse on October 11, 2007, packed with caged animals has been banned from leaving his house at night. February 14, 2008, a judge from Gloucester Crown Court sentenced the youth (18) under a 7pm to 7am home curfew for three months and ordered him to pay compensation of £1,500 for the damage he did.

(All Pets owner suffered a panic attack when she saw the extent of the damage the morning after the blaze. Fortunately all the pets were evacuated safely from the smoke-filled shop by firefighters but stock worth £8,000 to £10,000 was destroyed.)

Source: "He's not a bad lad says victim of pet shop fire", 18.2.2008, http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=231771&command=displayContent&sourceNode=231754&home=yes&more_nodeId1=231776&contentPK=19903932

Man accused of throwing firecrackers at car

Punta Gorda, Charlotte County, Florida/America. A man (19) was arrested February 1, 2008, after he allegedly threw bottle rockets at a passing car. He was charged with throwing a deadly missile at an occupied conveyance.

Source: "Man accused of throwing firecrackers at car", 2.2.2008, http://www.sun-herald.com/breakingnews.cfm?id=4628

Firework shop yob faces jail

Scotland/England. A man (46) who tried blow up a shop with a bag of fireworks has been told he faces a lengthy jail term. Customers and staff had to be evacuated after the man lit the fireworks near to flammable cleaning products October 2007. January 31, 2008, at Glasgow Sheriff Court, the man admitted a racially aggravated breach of the peace, assault and culpable and reckless conduct last October.

Source: "Firework shop yob faces jail", 1.2.2008, http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/newsfeed/2008/02/01/firework-shop-fool-faces-jail-86908-20305501/

Man has been found guilty of animal cruelty

Scotland/England. A man (20) who helped tie a hamster to a firework before the fuse was lit and it was fired into the air in the Possilpark area of Glasgow, has been found guilty of animal cruelty. He was among a group of friends who filmed themselves torturing the animal on mobile phones in 2005.

Source: "Man tied hamster to lit firework", 31.1.2008, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7220753.stm

Fireworks unit told to pay compensation to man who lost eye

India. The State Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission has directed Tamil Nadu-based Sri Kaliswari Fireworks to pay a compensation of Rs 12 lakh and Rs 20,000 as litigation charges to a 13-year-old child who lost an eye while bursting a cracker made by the unit. The accident had occurred on October 23, 1995.

Source: "Fireworks unit told to pay Rs 12 laks compensation to man who lost eye", 28.1.2008, http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Fireworks-unit-told-to-pay-Rs-12-lakh-compensation-to-man-who-lost-eye/266541/

Man sentenced for starting wildfire

Wenatchee/America. A man was (22) found guilty last month of unlawfully discharging a firework, a smoke bomb, that sparked a July fire that burned nine square miles and cost $1.85 million to fight. The man will spend 30 days in a jail work-release program and faces restitution of $1 million or more. The amount the man will be responsible for will be determined at a Feb 26 hearing. 

Source: "E. Wenatchee man sentenced for starting wildfire", 18.1.2008, http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/6420ap_wa_wildfire_sentence.html

Rocket menace targeted his mum

England. A man caught preparing to send a rocket firework through his mother's letterbox on October 29, 2007, has been jailed and branded a danger to the public. The man (22) was seen by police crouching by the door holding the rocket and a cigarette lighter. His mother has ejected him after he turned up at her home drunk.

The judge jailed the man for 14 months but made him subject to recall to prison for the next 26 months after determining that he posed a danger to the public.

Source: "Rocket menace targeted his mum", 10.1.2008, http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=161366&command=displayContent&sourceNode=232790&home=yes&more_nodeId1=161375&contentPK=19504999

Boy uses fireworks in burglary

Tampa/America. A 15-year-old boy tossed lit fireworks into a man's (75) home at 3312 W. Walnut St. He then entered through an unlocked sliding door and threw more lit fireworks. He also stole the man's credit cards. The police arrested the boy, charging him with felony burglary and misdemeanor criminal mischief. 6.1.2008

Source:

"15-year-old uses fireworks in Tampa burglary, police say", 7.1.2008, http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/jan/07/15-year-old-uses-fireworks-tampa-burglary-police-s/ 

"Victim says firecracker prank not so funny", 7.1.2008, http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=5416254&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1

Fireworks prank costs £300

New Zealand. A youth (18) admitted a charge of disorderly behaviour in the King Edward Barracks carpark on November 4, when he and a mate tossed a firework over the fence into the Central Police Station yard where it went off under a police vehicle. The judge did order him to pay a total of £300 towards the cost of prosecution.

Source: "Fireworks prank costs £300", 24.11.2007, http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/thepress/4285990a6530.html

Threat to throw fireworks through neighbour's window

Whakatane/New Zealand. A boy (15) threatened to throw fireworks through a neighbour's window if they didn't give him cash. The teenager will be appearing in the Youth Court this month.

Source: "Fireworks used as weapon in Eastern Bay", 9.11.2007, http://www.1xx.co.nz/stories/news.123532.html

Man to face fireworks charge

New Zealand. A man will appear in the Queenstown District Court on November 5 on a fireworks charge after throwing fireworks from a car in Camp St on November 3, 2007.

Source: Man to face fireworks charge, 5.11.2007, http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/southlandtimes/4261642a6011.html

Peru court sentenced 6 to prison for a fire caused by a firecracker

Lima/Peru. According to a court communique on October 17, 2007, a former police chief, three wholesalers of fireworks and two retail merchants have been sentenced to four years in prison due to the Dec. 29, 2001 fire that killed at least 290 people and seriously injured 262. The fire was caused by a vendor who set off a firecracker to interest a potential buyer. Eight other retail merchants received suspended four-year sentences. The tribunal ordered those responsible for the fire to pay US$18 million to the injured and families of the victims.

Source: "Peru court sentences 6 to prison for fire that killed at least 290 people", 18.10.2007, http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/10/18/america/LA-GEN-Peru-Fire.php

Men charged in vehicle fires set by fireworks

Anchorage, Alaska/America. Two men (20, 25) are acharged with felony criminal mischief plus criminally negligent burning and failing to control or report a dangerous fire. Police say they used fireworks (Black Cat Tasmanian Devils and Black Cat Disco Spinners) to start some of the fires in 22 vehicles.

Source: "Two charged in vehicle fires set by fireworks", 12.10.2007, http://www.ktuu.com/Global/story.asp?S=7206246

Man arrested for terrorizing his wife and children with firecrackers

Bulls Head, Staten Island/America. A man was arrested for terrorizing his estranged wife and two young children with firecrackers in a drunken rage, authorities said. The man (29) allegedly set off two firecrackers – one near the windshield and the other beneath the car, in which his family sat in the driveway of their Gary Court residence on September 1, 2007. The man was charged with child endangerment and harassment.

Source: "NYPD Daily Blotter", 12.9.2007, http://www.nypost.com/seven/09122007/news/nypdblotter/nypdblotter.htm

Teenager who launched firework conditionally discharged for two years

Northern Ireland. A newry teenager (18) who launched a firework at Scarva Street in Loughbrickland on October 31, has been conditionally discharged for two years for being in possession of an offensive weapon.

Source: "Newry teenager launched firework in Loughbrickland", 11.9.2007, http://www.derryjournal.com/9231/Newry-teenager-launched-firework-in.3189249.jp

Deadly fireworks prank

West Peoria, Ill./America. Four college students (21, 22, 19, 20) were charged August 13, 2007, with aggravated arson and possession of an explosive or incendiary device in the death of Sheridan Dahlquist.

Sheridan "Danny" Dahlquist (19) died Sunday, August 12 of smoke inhalation after a fire in his bedroom at an off-campus house he shared with three of the students. The four men lit roman candles under Dahlquist's bedroom door as an apparent prank. They then tried to rescue Dahlquist when they saw the roman candles started a fire, but were turned back by intense heat.

The men could have faced first-degree murder charges, but prosecutors opted for lesser counts after deciding they didn't mean to harm Dahlquist.

Investigators later determined that the men had been involved in a similar prank two days before, and set off a roman candle under Dahlquist's door earlier Sunday that failed to ignite. They returned and lit two more, shooting off up to 16 balls of fire that burned at about 1,500 degrees and ignited a wall across from the door.

Source:

"Deadly prank kills Bradley U. Student in house fire", 14.8.2007, http://chronicle.com/news/article/2853/deadly-prank-kills-bradley-u-student-in-house-fire

"Bradley cancels soccer scrimmage after player's death", 14.8.2007, http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=256159 

"4 charged with setting fire that killed Bradley soccer player", 14.8.2007, http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/2007-08-13-2919827322_x.htm

Man charged in fireworks accident

McHenry County/America. A man (42) was charged August 12 with reckless conduct in connection with the August 11 incident along the shores of Nippersink Creek near Spring Grove. The charge is a Class 4 felony punishable by a maximum one to three years in prison. The man placed an illegal M-80 firecracker on a floating mattress and shoved it downstram so a woman (65), standing along a creek bank when the explosive detonated about 10 feet away, was seriously injured on her left foot. Part of her big left toe had to be removed in hospital.

Source: "Man charged in fireworks accident", 14.8.2007, http://www.dailyherald.com/news/mchenrystory.asp?id=339903&cc=k&tc=&t=

Four arrests in fireworks fire

East Valley/America. Four people (22, 27, 25) were jailed July 31 after illegal fireworks sparked a 30-foot-by-30-foot wildland fire. They were charged with third-degree arson.

Source: "Four arrests in fireworks fire", 2.8.2007, http://www.recordcourier.com/article/20070802/NEWS/70802009

Teens cited in fireworks killing of kitten

Church Hill, Hawkins County, Tenn./America. Two teens (17) have had aggravated animal cruelty charges filed against them by the Hawkins County Sheriffs Department. The charges are a result of the fireworks killing of a kitten. The suspects were cited into juvenile court.

Source: 

"Teenagers charged in death of kitten", 17.7.2007, http://www.timesnews.net/article.php?id=9002090

"Charges filed in fireworks death of kitten", 18.7.2007, http://www.wbir.com/news/regional/story.aspx?storyid=47254

"Teens cited in fireworks killing of kitten, 18.7.2007, http://www.newschannel5.com/Global/story.asp?S=6806341

Man charged with arson in fireworks fire

Lakewood/America. On July 13, prosecutors charged a man (43) with three counts of arson and a count of criminal mischief. On July 6, he set off a spinning-type firework which spun into bushes, setting them on fire. The flames then spread to an apartment building on North Urban Court. 

Source: "Man charged with arson in Lakewook fireworks fire", 14.7.2007, http://cbs4denver.com/topstories/local_story_194171126.html 

Fireworks start brush fire; teen ticketed

Beaverton/America. Two teens were playing with a sparkler and threw it on the ground. They thought the sparkler was out, but it sparked a grass fire near Northwest Widgi Creek Court and Highway 26.

One of the teens received a ticket for reckless burning. 6.7.2007

Source: "Fireworks start brush fire; teen ticketed", 7.7.2007, http://www.kptv.com/news/13639003/detail.html

Firecrackers started fire in home: boy charged with arson

Yonkers/America. A boy (9) who is alleged to have set a six-family house at 48 Morningside Ave. on fire by tossing a lit firecracker in his home onto a bed on July 5, has been charged with arson and reckless endangerment.

The City Police Commissioner said the boy was charged as a minor and so would be tried in Family Court, rather than in a criminal court. That leaves no chance that the boy could be sentenced to jail or prison, though he could be removed from his family and placed in a juvenile detention facility.

Source:

"Yonkers child charged with arson. Police say boy started fire in home with firecrackers", 6.7.2007, http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=local&id=5455441 

"Boy, 9, charged in Yonkers house fire", 7.7.2007, http://www.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070707/NEWS02/707070353/1018/NEWS02

Man threw a lit firecracker at his girlfriend

Minnetonka/America. July 5^th, a man (27) was charged in Hennepin County District Court with second-degree assault  and also with second-degree drunken driving.

July 2^nd, the man had been driving his girlfriend's car when he became angry because they were lost, which made him miss his bus. He stopped her car on an interstate in Minnetonka, got out, lit a firecracker and threw it at his girlfriend as she sat in the car. She suffered second-degree burns to her arms, foot and leg.

Source: "Charges filed in Minnetonka firecracker incident", 5.7.2007, http://www.startribune.com/467/story/1287409.html

Boys said apartment fire started as firecracker prank

Marshville, N.C/America. Investigations showed that a fire at an apartment complex on started when boys threw a firecracker through an apartment window. Four apartments were destroyed and 24 people left homeless. Four 14-year old boys are looking at multiple felony charges for breaking and entering and arson. One of the boys confessed it was a prank gone wrong. The original plan was to set off a firecracker in front of an apartment door, but when the boys saw an open window, they decided to throw the firecracker inside that landed on a mattress, sparking a blaze. 3.7.2007

Source:

"Firecracker through window sparks apartment blaze", 3.7.2007, http://www.wcnc.com/news/topstories/stories/wcnc-070307-krg-arson.3d42eaa8.html

"Firecracker thought to blame for fire", 4.7.2007, http://news14.com/content/headlines/584431/firecracker-thought-to-blame-for-fire/Default.aspx

"Surveillance tape shows teen with fireworks responsible for Marshville blaze", 5.7.2007, http://www.wsoctv.com/news/13628587/detail.html

"Suspect says apartment fire started as prank", 9.7.2007, http://www.wcnc.com/news/local/stories/wcnc-070907-jmn-marshville-monday.5b3a4f98.html

Firecracker prank destroys car; teen charged with arson

Burlington/America. June 26, a man (18) threw a large lighted firecracker through the front window of a car. The interior of the car caught fire as a result of the resulting explosion. The car was a total loss. Two witnesses told police they saw the man throw the firecracker inside the car and he was arrested and charged with second-degree arson.

Source: "Firecracker prank destroys car; teen charged with arson", 17.8.2007, http://www.thehawkeye.com/Story/Arson_suspect_081507

Teenager faces 25 years in prison for lighting firecracker in mall

Kalona, IA/America. A man (19) faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted of throwing a lit firecracker down a crowded corridor at a Coralville mall in Iowa on April 16^th this year. Police charged him with first-degree arson, public intoxication and interference with official acts.

Source:

"Man faces prison in mall fireworks incident", 8.5.2007, http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070508/NEWS/70508001/1001/NEWS

"Teenager faces 25 years in prison for lighting firecracker in mall", 8.5.2007, http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7007285247

2 students arrested for igniting fireworks in school toilet

Hockessin/America. Two students (12 and 13) were arrested on April 12, after they allegedly tossed firecrackers in a school bathroom at 735 Meeting House Road April 11. Each of the boys was charged with reckless exploding, possession of fireworks and third-degree conspiracy – all misdemeanor offenses. The two students were suspended from school. April 2007

Source:

"2 Hockessin students arrested after firecracker explodes", 12.4.2007, http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070412/NEWS/70412064

"Hockessin students arrested for igniting fireworks in school toilet", http://www.wmdt.com/wires/displaystory.asp?id=60487448

Two boys facing charges after setting off firecrackers on a school bus

Durham, North Carolina/America. Two middle students (13) are facing some serious charges after allegedly setting off firecrackers on a school bus packed full of children. Inside the evacuated bus, officers discovered four unexploded firecrackers and "litter" from one exploded firecracker. All the students on the bus were "checked out" by emergency medical staff. Some students complained of irritation to their eyes and throats from the smoke. The two boys will be charged with bringing fireworks on school property. 15.12.2006

Source:

"Firecrackers explode on Durham school bus", 15.12.2006, http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=triangle&id=4855089

"School bus firecrackers spur charges vs. 2 teens", 16.12.2006, http://www.heraldsun.com/durham/4-799980.cfm 

"Middle schoolers make bang on bus", 16.12.2006, http://www.newsobserver.com/102/story/521944.html

Chinese court jails 10 in fatal fireworks blast

China. A former company executive received a suspended death sentence and nine other company and public officials will be jailed for three to five years for involvement in a fireworks explosion that killed 36 people. The Jan. 29 explosion in Linqi Town, Linzhou City in Henan Province, central China, was blamed on fireworks that were stored illegally and were ignited when a child threw a lighted firecracker into the cache. Most of those killed were at a temple celebrating the traditional Lunar New Year. Sixteen people died in the blast and 20 died later. Investigations showed that improper storage of the fireworks was largely to blame for the explosion.

Three children aged under 14 threw a burning firecracker through a ventilation intake into one of the company's firework storehouses. The blast set off a series of explosions in neighboring storehouses, which led to the heavy casualties. 12.12.2006

Source:

"Chinese court jails 10 in fatal fireworks blast", 12.12.2006, http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/12/12/asia/AS_GEN_China_Fireworks_Deaths.php

"10 managers, officials jailed for fatal fireworks blast in central China", 12.12.2006, http://english.people.com.cn/200612/12/eng20061212_331552.html

"Fireworks factory manager sentenced to death for blast killing 36", 13.12.2006, http://english.people.com.cn/200612/13/eng20061213_331715.html

Students accused of starting fire with fireworks

Des Moines, Iowa/America. Four Drake University students are facing charges in a fire that damaged a university-owned house on December 2. Officials say the fire was sparked by a "bottle rocket war" inside the house and later the students left the house and a fire was starting in a couch. It caused some 50-thousand dollars in damage. The students are charged with reckless use of fire.

Source:

"Drake students' 'war' sets house on fire, 7.12.2006, http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061207/NEWS01/612070395/1002

"Drake students accused of starting fire with fireworks", 8.12.2006, http://www.wqad.com/Global/story.asp?S=5782134&nav=1sW7

11-year-olds arrested in playground arson

America. Two boys (11) were arrested on Oct. 31 for the Oct. 2 fire that destroyed the $64,000 playground at 211 W. 25^th Street. Investigations determined that the boys were playing with fireworks at the new playground at Ochoa Park when the fireworks ignited the wood chips underneath the playground. The boys were charged with felony criminal damage and misdemeanor reckless burning.

Source:

"11-year-olds arrested in playground arson", 7.11.2006, http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/hourlyupdate/154820.php

"Two 11-year-olds charged in case of Ochoa Park fire", 7.11.2006, http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/daily/local/31833.php

Youths face fireworks arson

Christchurch/New Zealand. Police have charged five youths with arson after two fireworks-related fires: A toilet at Crosby Park in suburban Avonhead was set alight last night, November 2, and a fire was set to a suburban Burnside building early morning, October 28. Fireworks had been used in both arsons with other combustible materials.

Source: 

"Five arrested for fireworks-related arsons", 3.11.2006, http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10409021 

"Chch youths face fireworks arson", 3.11.2006, http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/newsdetail1.asp?storyID=106797

£80 Penalty Notice for Disorder (PND) fine under new laws governing firework misuse

Hucknall/England. Angry residents were kept awake at night by a man (20) who was hurling lit rockets and other fireworks on to High Street from a third-storey window. The noise from the explosions could be heard on estates surrounding the town centre.

He was duly slapped with an on-the-spot £80 Penalty Notice for Disorder (PND) fine under new laws governing firework misuse. 29.10.2006 

Source: "Kept awake by fireworks flinger", 3.11.2006, http://www.hucknalltoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=743&ArticleID=1859792

Firework thug left grandfather badly burned

Scotland. A firework yob who left a granddad scarred for life walked free from court. A youth (20) tossed a lighted firework through a man's (62) front door in Bo'ness, West Lothian, just after 2am on November 6^th last year. As the man tried to extinguish the firework it exploded, causing severe burns to his leg, groin and stomach. The youth was sentenced to 200 hours community service and placed on probation for two years, with the additional condition of a weekend curfew. 19.10.2006

Source:

"Opas hounded from home by firework yob. Victim's outrage as attacker walks free", 20.10.2006, http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/tm_headline=oaps-hounded-from-home-by-firework-yob-&method=full&objectid=17962741&siteid=66633-name_page.html

"Firework thug left grandfather badly burned", 20.10.2006, http://news.scotsman.com/edinburgh.cfm?id=1555742006

Teen charged in arson fire

Yakima, Wash./America. A boy (15) has been charged with 2^nd Degree Arson after setting off fireworks in a dumpster, resulting in a fire near Franklin Middle School October 7. 

Source: "Teen charged in arson fire", 11.10.2006, http://www.kndo.com/Global/story.asp?S=5523638&nav=menu484_2

Fireworks spark fire

America. Two teenagers (18) were arrested September 18 for allegedly shooting off fireworks and starting a fire July 19 on Callahan Ridge west of Roseburg. They were cited with arson, reckless burning and criminal mischief.

Source: "Fireworks  spark fire on Callahan ridge", 20.9.2006, http://www.newsreview.info/article/20060920/NEWS/109200099

Man started house fire with fireworks

Oak Harbor/America. Police arrested a Navy man (20) this week on suspicion of arson and burglary. The man walked into the NW Cathlamet Drive home August 22, while the residents were gone, lit a whole bunch of fireworks off, and walked out while they were going off. The fireworks started a fire in the kitchen. Damage: about $5,000.

Source: "Sailor accused of starting house fire", 23.8.2006, http://www.whidbeynewstimes.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=84&cat=23&id=714034&more=

Compensation ordered: animals scared by firecrackers

Dalian of Liaoning  Province/China. A court last week ordered a village committee to give compensation of 500 yuan (US$61) to a neighbouring feed lot where animals were scared out of their wits during a ceremony early this year with firecrackers which went off for more than an hour.

"Animals in feed lot scared by firecrackers", 17.8.2006, http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2006-08/17/content_666824.htm

Teen faces charges for setting off firecrackers at school 

Tucson/America. A boy (15) was arrested and booked into the Pima County Juvenile Detention Center. He's facing three felony charges, for allegedly setting off firecrackers at Flowing Wells High School. 15.8.2006

Source: "Teen faces charges for setting off firecrackers at school", 17.8.2006, http://kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=5292532&nav=HMO6HMaY

Authorities say a man cited for starting a blaze must pay the price tag for extinguishing it

San Jacinto/America. A man (50) was cited for misdemeanor violations, including recklessly starting a fire and possessing dangerous fireworks. He will be charged for the firefighting costs of at least $150,000  of fighting a 360-acre brush fire he reportedly sparked by igniting fireworks in his backyard last weekend (12./13.8.). The fire was contained Monday, 14.8. No homes were threatened or damaged in the fire, but one firefighter was slightly hurt.

Source: "Officials: Fire will cost resident. Authorities say a man cited for starting a blaze must pay the price tag for extinguishing it.", 14.8.2006, http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_R_blazecosts15.299f4cc.html

Man fired a shotgun at his neighbor, who was shooting off fireworks

Hitachi/Japan. A man (67) fired a shotgun at his neighbor (36), who was shooting off rocket fireworks on the road; fortunately he missed the man. He said that he did it because the fireworks were too noisy and the neighbor would not stop after he asked him to. The man was arrested a day later (14.8); he stands accused of violence and the illegal use of firearms. 13.8.20006

Source: 

"Man nabbed for firing shotgun at neighbor over 'noisy' fireworks", 14.8.2006, http://mdn.mainichi-msn.co.jp/national/news/20060814p2a00m0na010000c.html

"Man fires shotgun to halt fireworks", 15.8.2006, http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20060815a8.html

Man charged in fireworks-started wildfire

South Lake City/America. A man (21) was charged with causing a catastrophe, a Class A misdemeanor, for a small fire in the city's foothills on July 2, he said was started accidentally by fireworks.

Source: "Man charged in fireworks-started wildfire", 31.7.2006, http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=392991

Man guilty of involuntary murder after fireworks factory blast

Malta. A man was fined Lm5,000 after he was found guilty of the involuntary murder of another man, who had died in an explosion at the fireworks factory at Ta' Kandja, limits of Mqabba, on April 24^th, 2003. He was found guilty of allowing unlicensed and illegal manufacturing of fireworks that led to the death of Godwin Debono (50).

Source: "Man guilty of involuntary murder after fireworks factory blast", 31.7.2006, http://www.di-ve.com/dive/portal/portal.jhtml?id=242743&pid=1

Boy cited for reckless burning after tossing a fireworks

Keizer/America. A boy (14) was cited for reckless burning after tossing a fireworks out of his window in one of the first-floor apartments, that ignited several bushes, near the Churchdale Apartments complex at 218 Churchdale Avenue N. Damage from the resulting blaze: $21,000.

Source: "Churchdale blaze chars buildings, car", 28.7.2006, http://www.keizertimes.com/news/story.cfm?story_no=7242

Jail for man who lost arm in fireworks prank

Barrhead/England. A drunken prankster (36) who planned to frighten a shop worker lost an arm after a firework exploded in his hand. Three of his fingers were blown off and surgeons couldn't save his left hand as it was so badly shattered. He ended up having his arm amputated just above the elbow. Now, a sheriff has jailed him for 18 months for the "very serious" offence. The man pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct, breach of the peace, causing an explosion likely to endanger life or cause serious damage to property and placing shop workers in a state of fear on December 11, 2004.

Source:

"Jail for man who lost arm in horror fireworks prank", 28.7.2006, http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/hi/news/5055314.html

"You're such a rocket, man. 'Stupid' drunk jailed after fireworks blows his hand off.", 28.7.2006, http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/tm_objectid=17464040&method=full&siteid=66633&headline=you-re-such-a-rocket--man--name_page.html

Repayment or prison

Lerwick, Shetland Islands/England. A man (20) pleaded guilty to recklessly setting off fireworks from a flat in Market Street, between 21 and 22 January 2006. One of the fireworks entered the storeroom below the flat and, after a lengthy period of smouldering, set fire to the contents. While the structure of the building was not damaged by the fire, everything inside it was. The man has been told to negotiate a repayment settlement otherwise he might go to prison.

Source: "Sheriff puts rocket up firework man", 21.7.2006, http://www.shetland-news.co.uk/pages/news%20stories/07_2006/sheriff_puts_rocket_up_firework_man.htm

Trial for fireworks case begins

America. Brian Miller (37) who was arrested after the March 5 blast, is expected to appear at Norwalk Superior Court. He is charged with seven felony counts, including possession of a destructive device, possession for sales of a controlled substance and recklessly causing a fire.

Authorities apparently recovered about 400 pounds of illegal explosives that did not ignite in the blast.

Source: "Trial for fireworks case begins. Brian Alan Miller charged with 7 felony counts.", 19.7.2006, http://www.presstelegram.com/news/ci_4072661

Man charged in stepson's fireworks death

Gloucester/America. A Gloucester County Grand Jury indicted a New Kent County man (51) on three charges in the death of his stepson (15) following a fireworks accident on July Fourth: involuntary manslaughter, felony child neglect and using illegal fireworks without a permit. The two felonies carry a maximum total prison term of 20 years. The misdemeanor fireworks charge is punishable by up to a year in jail.

The man was on the beach launching tennis-ball size mortar rounds from a homemade PVC tube, one of the round struck his stepson in the head, fracturing his skull. It's unclear how the teenager got into the line of fire. 18.7.2006

Source:

"Stepdad charged in fireworks death", 19.7.2006, http://www.dailypress.com/news/local/dp-77970sy0jul19,0,783949.story?coll=dp-news-local-final

"Man charged in stepson's fireworks death", 19.7.2006, http://www.wavy.com/Global/story.asp?S=5169062&nav=23ii

Teen charged with arson

Lahaina. A boy (15) who had been playing with fireworks was arrested July 14, for allegedly starting a fire that burned grass in a vacant lot, Lui Street. He was charged with fourth-degree arson, a misdemeanor that can be brought when someone intentionally or knowingly sets a fire that damages property.

Source: "Lahaina teen charged with arson", 18.7.2006, http://www.mauinews.com/story.aspx?id=21583

Two arrested for arson fire

Centerton/America. Two men (24/23) have been arrested in connection with arson fires started by firework in the area. They were charged with reckless burning, a class D felony. The suspects admitted to starting several fires with firecrackers.

Source: "Two arrested for arson fires", 8.7.2006, http://nwanews.com/bcdr/News/37025/

Two teens arrested after home burns

America. Kirkland police arrested two boys (15) for questioning in connection with a house fire started by fireworks. Detectives say the youths had been lighting bottle rockets, which set the roof on fire Tuesday (4.7.), and a bag of the rockets was recovered as evidence during the investigation. The Kirkland teenagers face potential charges of first-degree reckless burning.

"2 teens arrested after home burns", 7.7.2006, http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/eastsidenews/2003110368_glance07e.html

Boys accused of using fireworks to intentionally burn home

Ocala, Marion County, Fla/America. The son (16) of a 79-year-old woman had a fight with three boys (14, 13, 11) over the fireworks. Later the same evening the kids came back and neighbors said they saw the boys throwing fireworks through a window, setting the house on fire. An arson investigator has determined the fire did start in the room where the fireworks were reportedly ignited. The boys were charged with arson. 5.7.2006

Source:

"Boys accused of using fireworks to intentionally burn home", 12.7.2006, http://www.wftv.com/news/9507756/detail.html

"Police: Boys used fireworks to burn down home", 13.7.2006, http://www.wftv.com/news/9510183/detail.html

"Juveniles charged in blaze. Arson inquiry points to fireworks as cause", 12.7.2006, http://www.ocala.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060712/NEWS/60712008/1001/NEWS01

Two juveniles suspected of setting off illegal fireworks causing a brush fire

Lake Perris State Recreation Area/America. Two juveniles are suspected of setting off illegal fireworks causing a brush fire that quickly scorched 10 acres. The two juveniles were arrested  on suspicion of possession of dangerous fireworks and carelessly causing a fire and released to their parents. They will also be billed for the cost of fighting the fire at around $3,000. 3.7.2006

Source: "Two juveniles suspected in Lake Perris brush fire", 3.7.2006, http://cbs2.com/local/local_story_184222239.html

Suit filed in injury by rocket

Skokie. A teenager (16) and his parents filed suit June 28 against another teen (17) over an incident that occurred Feb. 7 this year in which the boy was struck in the eye with a bottle rocket. The suit says he suffered retinal detachment, a ruptured globe and "related traumatic injuries". The suit seeks damage for medical costs associated with surgery the victim has already undergone, future medical costs and the possible permanent loss of his eyesight. 28.6.2006

Source: "Suit filed in injury by rocket", http://www.pioneerlocal.com/cgi-bin/ppo-story/localnews/current/mg/07-06-06-969040.html

More arrests made in train arson

Old Saybrook/America. Police have arrested two teens (22 and 16) in connection with the arson that destroyed an historic railroad car last week.

Three other teens were arrested earlier this week.

Police say they set off fireworks inside the train car that set it on fire. 3.6.2006

Source: 

"Two more teens arrested in train arson", 3.6.2006, http://www.wfsb.com/Global/story.asp?S=4984801

"More arrests made in train car arson", 4.6.2006, http://www.wfsb.com/Global/story.asp?S=4984801

Two boys played with fireworks

North Centralia/America. Late at Saturday, 27.5.,  fire destroyed much of the Oakview Elementary School. Damage: more than $2 million.

On Tuesday night, 30.5., two boys (14) were arrested in connection with the fire. They faced charges of first-degree arson and second-degree burglary.

The boys scaled the security fence around the school and messed around with fireworks. They put one of the ignited fireworks in a large plastic recycling bin adjacent to the school. The fire then spread to the school building.

Source:

"Centralia school fire should be lesson to youths on behavior", 4.6.2006, http://www.chronline.com/main.asp?SectionID=16&SubSectionID=101&ArticleID=30337&TM=70118.82

"Caution urged in case of two boys involved with fire", 3.6.2006, http://www.chronline.com/main.asp?SectionID=16&SubSectionID=101&ArticleID=30366&TM=54217.13

Woman accused of firing bottle rockets at sheriff's helicopter

Orange County, Fla/America. Apparently angry at a sheriff's helicopter flying over her house late in the night, a woman (44) ran outside with a bottle rocket launcher and started shooting rockets at the aircraft in an effort to get it to move. Authorities arrested the woman in the act of launching the second rocket. She is facing a felony  charge of shooting or throwing a deadly missile into an aircraft.

Source:

"Woman accused of firing bottle rockets at sheriff's helicopter. Homeowner apparently annoyed at noise in area", 26.5.2006, http://www.local6.com/news/9278233/detail.html

"Woman shoots fireworks at police helicopter", 27.5.2006, http://www.casperstartribune.net/articles/2006/05/27/ap/strange/d8hs30p00.txt

Fireworks lited at gas station - man arrested for reckless conduct

Pekin/America. A man (19) bought two smoke bomb fireworks at a Pekin gas station, lit and threw them outside the store, causing them to roll under a gas tanker truck. The driver of the tanker truck could kick one of the fireworks and put it out while another man put out the other smoke bomb. The man was arrested for reckless conduct. 20.5.2006

Source: "Iowan allegedly throws smoke bombs at tanker", 23.5.2006, http://www.pjstar.com/stories/052306/POL_B9T4M7B1.033.shtml

Student arrested for making fireworks

Terre Haute, Ind./America. Police arrested an Indiana State University student (19) on a preliminary charge of manufacturing an explosive device after officials said he was making fireworks in his dorm room. Campus police came to his room after one of the explosives discharged, setting off a fire alarm.

Source:

"ISU student arrested for making fireworks", 20.4.2006, http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/newssentinel/14387646.htm

"ISU student arrested for making fireworks", 20.4.2006, http://www.wishtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=4794391&nav=0Ra7 

"ISU student arrested for making fireworks", 19.4.2006, http://www.tribstar.com/news/local_story_109233638.html

Pyrotechnics company fined

England. A pyrotechnics company has been fined £5,000 after five tonnes of fireworks were found dangerously stored at an Edmonton warehouse.

"Fireworks firm blasted in court", 12.4.2006, http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/regional/display.php?artid=730635&FROMPAPER=enfieldindependent.co.uk

Arrests over fireworks blasts

Alice Springs Town/Central Australia. A man and a woman (20)  have been charged after throwing lit fireworks from a moving vehicle.

"Arrests over fireworks blasts", 3.4.2006, http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story/0,20281,18692459-5001028,00.html

M-80 injury to toddler leads to parents' arrest

Gary/America. Parents of a girl (3) who lost three fingers when a fireworks device (M-80) exploded in her hand, while her mother was out of the room on Jan 26, have been charged with neglect. 28.3.2006

http://www.post-trib.com/cgi-bin/pto-story/news/z1/03-28-06_z1_news_18.html

Man pleads guilty to fire that killed one

Gloucester, Mass./America. A man pleads guilty to manslaughter in connection with a fire that killed a woman more than two years ago. He was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison. The man set his house on fire on Dec. 22, 2003, when he lit illegal fireworks inside, one of which ignited a Christmas tree.

Source:

"Man pleads guilty in fatal fire whose victim was misidentified", 20.3.2006, http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2006/03/20/man_pleads_guilty_in_fatal_fire_whose_victim_was_misidentified/

"Gloucester man pleads guilty to fire that killed one", 20.3.2006, http://www.eyewitnessnewstv.com/Global/story.asp?S=4658584&nav=F2DO

"Man pleads guilty in 2003 fire death", 21.3.2006, http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2006/03/21/man_pleads_guilty_in_2003_fire_death/

Man sentenced for selling illegal fireworks components

America. A Pennsylvania fireworks chemical supplier was sentenced to 5 months in federal prison, 5 months home confinement and three years of supervised release for violating a consent decree by selling illegal and highly dangerous fireworks components.

Source:

"Pennsylvania man sentenced to federal prison for repeatedly selling illegal fireworks components", 3.3.2006, http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060303/dcf043.html?.v=27

"Man sentenced for selling illegal fireworks components", 3.3.2006, http://www.centredaily.com/mld/centredaily/news/politics/14010292.htm 

"Man headed to prison for fireworks violations", 3.3.2006, http://www.wnep.com/Global/story.asp?S=4582169&nav=5ka4

Man sentenced to five years imprisonment 

Judge sentenced a man to five years of rigorous imprisonment and slapped a fine of Rs 12,000 on him in relation to a blast in the village in Oct 13, 2003 that had claimed two lives, while two others were seriously inured. As per the judgment, the culprit would have to spend one more year in jail if he failed to give the fine.

Source: "Jail term for cracker maker upsets illegal traders", 23.2.2006, http://www.thestatesman.net/page.news.php?clid=9&theme=&usrsess=1&id=107746

Ralston man gets 15 days in jail for fireworks storage 

Ralston/America. A man has been sentenced to 15 days in jail in connection with storing commercial-grade fireworks at his home. A teenager was injured by an explosive last July 4^th as the man was hosting a party there. In addition to jail time, the man was given a year of probation and 40 hours of community service.

Investigators found more than 200 cases of explosives and commercial-grade fireworks in the man's basement while investigating the accident.

Source:

"Fireworks Sentence. Fifteen days and probation", 23.2.2006, http://www.wowt.com/news/headlines/2358401.html

"Ralston man gets 15 days in jail for fireworks storage", 23.2.2006, http://www.ketv.com/news/7363381/detail.html

Man sentenced for injuring woman 

Nicholas Stormzand said he never intended harm when he set off homemade fireworks that nearly destroyed a woman's face while she rode with her daughter on the Fourth of July. As part of his one year on probation, he has to serve 35 days of community service… The judge also said Stormzand has to cover the victim's medical bills, which have surpassed $150,000.

Source: "Man sentenced for injuring woman in fireworks blunder", 26.1.2006, http://www.mlive.com/news/muchronicle/index.ssf?/base/news-5/113828852052110.xml&coll=8

Fireworks that sparked bush fire could cost $20,000

Near Mangawhai (about 120 km north of Auckland)/New Zealand. An Auckland man whose fireworks sparked a bush fire in Northland on Saturday night may face a $20,000 bill for the blaze. The fire on council land burnt about 4-5ha. 14.1.2006

Source: "Fireworks that sparked bush fire could prove very costly", 16.1.2006, http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3541114a11,00.html

Man blasted fireworks into flight path of landing planes

England. A man (20), celebrating Halloween, sent rockets from his back garden into the flight path of passenger planes landing at Edinburgh airport on a busy Friday night on 29 October, 2004. The landscaper pleaded guilty to reckless conduct by placing pilots, air crew and passengers in potential danger.

Source: "Man blasted fireworks into flight path of landing planes", 30.,12.2005, http://news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=2474492005

Activist acquitted of illegal fireworks charges

An animal rights activist who bought illegal fireworks to show how easily they could be obtained in the ACT has been found not guilty of purchasing a prohibited dangerous substance. 24.11.2005

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200511/s1516267.htm

Shop man blasted over illegal fireworks stash

Nigel Kroll massively exceeded the storage limits for fireworks at his Barbecue World shop in Godmanchester/England. At one stage he had around three tonnes of fireworks at the shop and later transferred the bulk to a disused farm where they were discovered hidden in barns by trading standards officials after a tip-off. They found about two tonnes of fireworks, containing about half a tonne of explosives.

Kroll (49) admitted three offences of exceeding his firework storage limit and one of storing fireworks in unlicensed premises. He was fined £2,500 on each of the first three charges and £3,500 on the fourth. He was also ordered to pay £3,704 costs.

Frank Chandley, prosecuting: <<There had been a risk of a 'major disaster', to the people of Godmanchester and the storage of fireworks at the farm 'bordered on the unbelievable'.>> 14.10.2005

http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/huntingdon/2005/10/14/2480e91d-d6b0-45a5-9ec6-e8ecb0ce1df7.lpf

Slatington fireworks injury suit is settled. Youth lost one finger, parts of two others. He'll get $163,839

Dean B. and Cindy Heffelfinger filed a suit after their son (now 17) lost his right ring finger, most of his right thumb and the upper part o his middle finger when a firecracker exploded in his hand on May 12, 1998, when he was 9 years old. He had to have numerous operations on his hand and had to undergo surgery to recover his hearing.

A vocational expert estimated that Heffelfinger Jr.'s future economic losses would be about $550,000 to $800,000 because of the limitations. 27.9.2005

http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-b1-5firecrackersep27,0,6929774.story?coll=all-newslocal-hed

Grief for dead dog prompted outburst. Man: hit out over fireworks 

Mark Parr (38), traumatised because his dog was killed by a fireworks, has been given probation after attacking his neighbour for holding a Guy Fawkes party.

He attacked his neighbour and smashed his car because of the fireworks bash in October last year. When police officers confronted Parr, he told his dog had been killed by a firework earlier in the year and said the sound of the party had brought the memories flooding back.

Parr admitted charges of criminal damage, common assault and possessing an offensive weapon.

Magistrates gave him an 18-month community rehabilitation order. 23.9.2005,

http://www.getreading.co.uk/story.asp?intid=12912

Teen heads to jail in fireworks death. Sedalia man, 80, died in house fire 

Sedalia, Mo. A boy (15) faces jail time in the fireworks death of Clarence Averbeck (80), who died in a house fire on July 29, 2004. Investigators said the fire was caused because the 15-year-old boy lit a firecracker and a 14-year-old boy tossed it into Averbeck's house. The most severe punishment was given to the older boy, who last month pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter. A judge now has sentenced him to 8 months in jail, counting time already served in the case (he has 5 months left behind bars).

In July, the 14-year-old boy pleaded guilty to charges. A judge imposed a suspended sentence, provided he successfully completes 5 years probation. September 2005

http://www.thekansascitychannel.com/news/4999773/detail.html

4 held in Coliseum fireworks incident

Oakland/America. Oakland Raiders game at the Coliseum: Police said hundreds of illegal fireworks were set off in the Coliseum and nearby parking lots after the game, resulting in four arrests and a warning that officers will be cracking down on such activity in the future. Two men (32 and 30) and a boy (15): arrested on suspicion of possession of an explosive device in public and explosion of a destructive device. The boys's father: arrested on suspicion of battery for pushing an officer.

Some of the packages of fireworks seized by police had warning labels stating they are "dangerous explosives" to be used by "licensed display operators only". None of those arrested had such a license. Police estimated the value of all the fireworks – both confiscated and used – at several thousand dollars. 18.9.2005

http://www.insidebayarea.com/argus/localnews/ci_3045316

Clearfield man cited for fireworks

A man (22) was cited for illegally discharging fireworks that caused about $100,000 worth of damage to a home. The man had discharged some fireworks that went inside a garage and lit flammable items, so the garage and house went up in flames half an hour later. 16.9.2005

http://www2.standard.net/standard/news/62266/

Injured man charged for firing fireworks

Mason City, Iowa/America. Robert Freelon Jones (52), accused of accidentally exploding a camper during a recent pyrotechnics convention, has been charged with reckless use of explosives. Jones is suspected of working on fireworks while in the campground. A fuse accidentally ignited, causing two commercial grade fireworks to explode.

If convected, Jones could face up to one year in jail and a maximum fine of 1,500. 14.9.2005

Source:

"Grandview man charged for firing fireworks", 14.9.2005, http://www.belleville.com/mld/belleville/news/local/12643891.htm

"Injured PGI member charged", 14.9.2005, http://www.globegazette.com/articles/2005/09/14/local/doc432825b57cf7a114354357.txt

Pair fined for lighting fireworks

Boyle, Alberta/America. Two men who pleaded guilty to unlawfully setting off fireworks in a forested area of northern Alberta have been fined more than 15-hundred dollars each. They were also given six months' probation and ordered to take out advertisements in two local newspapers to apologize for their actions. 2.9.2005

http://www.canada.com/calgary/calgaryherald/news/story.html?id=466caced-082a-4a07-b257-783504f1948e

Firm fined for Westlife fireworks horror

Ipswich/England. A pyrotechnics company has been ordered to pay £6,000 for a fireworks accident at a sell-out boy band Westlife's concert in Chantry Park, July 2004. Stray fireworks shot into the crowd and caused minor injuries to one member of the public and a security guard and burst through a metal fence surrounding the venue.

The council said the company had failed to secure two sets of class four fireworks in place. This caused the explosives to topple over and shoot into the crowd. 26.8.2005

http://www.eadt.co.uk/content/news/story.asp?datetime=26+Aug+2005+05%3A17&tbrand=EADOnline&tCategory=NEWS&category=News&brand=EADOnline&itemid=IPED25+Aug+2005+18%3A19%3A18%3A487

Boys accused of starting North Table Mountain blaze with fireworks

Two boys (15) will be charged with first-degree arson in last month's fire at North Table Mountain near Golden that burned within feet of homes and destroyed a barn. If convicted, the teens could receive a maximum sentence of two years in a juvenile corrections facility. They also face a fourth-degree arson charge and a charge of violating county fire restrictions.

Investigators said the fire started July 22 when the teens hiked up the side of North Table Mountain and set off fireworks and Roman candles, which are illegal.

The families of the teens could be forced to pay for the costs of fighting the fire, which probably will exceed $100,000. More than 100 firefighters from 10 districts and two air tankers battled the blaze. 12.8.2005

http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_2934908

Students expelled: All six accused in fireworks case.

Eau Claire. Six students who are accused of shooting fireworks into a teacher's home in May won't be going back to school this year. They've been expelled. Nobody was hurt, but the fireworks caused $11,000 in damage. 9.8.2005

http://www.wqow.com/news/articles/article_4450.shtml

Danish teenager charged in lethal fireworks case

A Danish teenager (17) has been charged with negligent homicide for firing a fireworks rocket that killed a 2-year-old boy on New Year's Eve. The boy was hit in the chest and died instantly. 19.7.2005

http://www.dr.dk/nyheder/fremmedsprog/English/article.jhtml?articleID=265182

Devastating home fire caused by thrown firework

A boy (14) has been charged with mischief endangering life, accused of throwing a lit firework onto a backyard deck and starting a $300,000 house fire on Great Oak Court at about 10:30 p.m. 15.7.2005

http://www.northpeel.com/br/news/story/2922175p-3385758c.html

Boys with fireworks arrested as arson suspects

Three juvenile boys playing with illegal fireworks were arrested on suspicion of igniting a 5-acre grass fire on the west side of Utah Lake. Damage: $5,000. 9.7.2005

http://www.sltrib.com/utah/ci_2851037

Two juveniles charged with vandalizing temple 

Nashville, Tenn/America. Two boys (14) were charged in uvenile Court petitions with felony possession of a prohibited weapon and felony vandalism. They used fireworks to create improvised explosive devices and threw them through the windows of the Lao Buddhapathip Temple. 8.7.2005

http://www.volunteertv.com/Global/story.asp?S=3563470 

Valley stream resident Nehemiah Romano was arrested on Friday morning after police were tipped off that he was selling fireworks

Bomb technicians seized 20 cases of ground-effects fireworks from an upstairs bedroom of Romano's house and in addition, he was found to be in possession of homemade explosive devices. Romano (26) is charged with fireworks possession with intent to sell, a class-A misdemeanor, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon (for the home-made explosives) and … 7.7.2005

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid?14820807&BRD=1601&PAG=461&dept_id=479861&rfi=6

Fireworks in luggage at airport leads to arrest

Harbor Police arrested a woman (27) about 8:30 p.m. after screeners discovered illegal Mexican-style firework in her baggage on a Southwest Airlines flight departing from Lindbergh Field. The woman was booked on suspicion of possession of an explosive device and unregistered fireworks. 6.7.2005

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20050706-9999-7m6illegal.html

Fireworks cache discovered in San Lorenzo 

Two San Lorenzo residents have been arrested after sheriff's officials reportedly found about 60 pounds of fireworks in their home.

An explosive disposal team responded and evacuated eight residences in the area. The suspects were booked into Jail on alleged possession of explosive devices. 6.7.2005

http://cbs5.com/topstories/local_story_187130521.html

Boy charged for indoor fireworks display

Klair Estates, Wilmington/Delaware. As a boy (14) set off firecreackers in a bedroom in his home, a curtain caught fire. Damage: $500. The boy was arrested and charged with reckless burning and possession of fireworks. 6.7.2005

http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/news/070705_nw_fireworkscharge.html

Man charged with using fireworks to set fires

J.P. Martin King (30) was arraigned Tuesday on a charge of second-degree arson in a series of brush fires covering about 1,200 acres last week in Naches Heights, northwest of Yakima. King, charged with using fireworks to set fires, was being held on $250,000 bail. 5.7.2005

http://www.kgw.com/sharedcontent/APStories/stories/D8B6AG6O0.html

Man shoots gun to stop neighbor's fireworks

Council Bluff, IA. Russell Thompson Sr. (58) was arrested about 10:45 p.m., after he allegedly fired four shots from an AK-47 assault rifle after becoming angry at neighbors who were setting off fireworks.

Thompson told the police officers that he fired four shots into the hillside to try and get the people to stop lighting fireworks because they were scaring his dog. He also stated that he is a Vietnam veteran and that he knows how to handle firearms.

There were no signs of any bullet hole in the house of the neighbor or no reports by the victim or witnesses of bullets passing by them.

Thompson was charged with four counts of aggravated assault.

Thompson was out of jail Tuesday night. 4.7.2005

Literature:

"Man charged with firing AK-47 at fireworks-firing neighbors", 7.7.2005, http://www.crgazette.com/2005/07/06/Home/News/fireworksshootingarrest.htm

"C.B. man shoots gun to stop neighbor's fireworks", 5.7.2005, http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=14805923&BRD=2703&PAG=461&dept_id=555106&rfi=6

"Council bluffs man accused of shooting AK-47", 6.5.2005, http://www.theomahachannel.com/news/4688227/detail.html

Fireworks dispute turns deadly

Chicago Heights, Ill. Willie Marr (52) was charged with first-degree murder in the slaying of Willie Sallis Jr. At a hearing 5.7., bond was set at $1 million. 

Police said Marr came outside of his home and asked Sallis to stop, but he apparently continued lighting the fireworks. Chicago Heights police said they believe he threatened a group of neighbors, urged them to stop lighting fireworks, then returned with a shotgun.

Marr's attorney said his client acted in self-defense.

"I can understand wanting to respect your house and all that, but to kill somebody (over) fireworks makes no sense," said one man. "He said the fireworks were landing in his yard." Police described the fireworks as "nothing out of the ordinary", comparing them to bottle rockets. 3.7.2005

Literature:

"Fireworks dispute turns deadly", 5.7.2005, http://cbs2chicago.com/topstories/local_story_186171720.html

"Man charged with first-degree murder", 5.7.2005, http://www.nbc5.com/news/4682407/detail.html?z=dp&dpswid=2265994&dppid=65193

"$1 million bond set in neighbor's death", 5.7.2005, http://abclocal.go.com/wls/news/070505_ns_chicago_heights.html

Students charged with arson in smoke bomb and fireworks show

Vestal, N.Y./America. Two high school students (18 and 19) face felony arson charges after an elaborate smoke bomb and fireworks stunt at their school. A week ago, the school was evacuated when a smoke bomb was detonated near the library. Today authorities announced the arrest of the two students. 16.6.2005

http://www.wstm.com/Global/story.asp?S=3478158

Court bans teenager from wearing hoodie and possessing fireworks

Dale Carroll (16) threw fireworks at cyclists and at one stage pulled a person from their bike and threatened them with an axe. … He was found guilty of anti social behaviour and was banned from wearing a hoodie or cap in public for five years … and was also prevented from congregating with more than two people, except family members, and banned from possessing fireworks, axes or chainsaws.

Eddy Newman, Manchester city council's executive member for housing: "This young man has caused absolute misery for the people he has terrorised in this neighbourhood Collyhurst village (a Manchester suburb) for almost three years, and is out of control."

Literature:

"Teenager handed hoodie ban", 26.5.2005, http://politics.guardian.co.uk/homeaffairs/story/0,11026,1492902,00.html

"Court bans teenager from wearing hoodie", 27.5.2005, http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,2763,1493423,00.html?gusrc=rss

Fireworks crackdown

Two Greek men faced an Athens prosecutor after police confiscated more than 60,000 firecrackers, flares and other fireworks in their possession. It is the largest haul yet in a crackown on the illegal manufacture, trade and use of fireworks ahead of Orthodox Easter. 21.4.2005

http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_politics_100014_22/04/2005_55566

Castalia fireworks suit goes to court

Jane Christensen is suing Castalia for nearly $3,800 for damage to her farm she said occurred from the town's July Fourth fireworks celebration last year. Christensen said the money includes about $2,200 for lost hay (over 6 acres have debris from the fireworks) and nearly $1,600 for cleanup. Castalia Town Attorney Liz Fairman said the town contends the fireworks caused no damage to Christensen's property. The case will be heard in small claims court in Rocky Mount. 9.4.2005

http://www.rockymounttelegram.com/hp/content/news/stories/2005/04/09/04102005rmtfireworks.html;COXnetJSessionIDbuild70=CaO2lz1yC3SAhJwud2wB0GkcnrNugLaoyEytsxbgnvO7vHLt7ZEB!961438995?urac=n&urvf=11131983261520.2975553094942508

Student arrested for firecracker explosion – ASU officer 'thought he was being shot at'

Adam Crane (19), a pre-business undergraduate, was arrested shortly before 3 a.m. on Thursday on charges of aggravated assault against a police officer, disorderly conduct with a dangerous weapon and possession of prohibited fireworks, according to records released late Friday by the ASU Department of Public Safety.

DPS Cpl. Louis Scichilone was responding to a call at the apartment complex and "thought he was being shot at" when he heard and felt an explosion as he was getting out of his patrol car, police reported. Police found the remains of an M-80 firecracker near Scichilone's patrol car. Crane reportedly said he lit the firecracker but did not throw it off the balcony and did not intend to hurt anyone.

State law prohibits the possession, use and explosion of fireworks.

Crane was released from custody, but DPS planned to forward the charges against him to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office for review. 28.3.2005

http://www.asuwebdevil.com/issues/2005/03/28/news/692576

Teen injured at fireworks show sues city. City rejects $10 Million claim

In November, Marysville city leaders rejected a $10 million personal injury claim from the Velez family. Now the family is going forward with a civil lawsuit, which has been filed against the company that put on the show, the show's sponsor, the city of Marysville and the California Department of Forestry. The CDF's investigation into the incident is not yet finished. 28.3.2005

http://www.thekcrachannel.com/news/4325186/detail.html

read more about what happened...

OSHA fines fireworks company for safety violations in Pittston during July 4 display

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration has fined Schaefer Pyrotechnics Inc. of Lancaster County $8,100 for safety-related violations at last year's Fourth of July fireworks accident.

At least two dozen people suffered injuries such as burns, cuts and scrapes in the accidental explosion during the fireworks display finale along the Susquehanna River. Two people, including a Schaefer employee, were seriously injured and briefly hospizalized. Three other employees suffered minor injuries in the explosion, caused by a faulty explosive.

The first five violations, which came with a $1,800 fine, regarded inadequate training for employees, the lack of information on chemical names, protective equipment and manufacturer data on the material safety data sheets.

Two other violations, for which the company also was fined $1,800, were the lack of protective equipment for the face, hands and chest and the employer's failure to assess the workplace to determine if hazards necessitated the use of personal protective equipment.

OSHA also cited the company for not protecting employees from hazards that were "likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees". That carried a $4,500 fine. 5.3.2005

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=14087455&BRD=2185&PAG=461&dept_id=416046&rfi=6

Bosozoku razes warehouse with misfired crackers

Hiroshima/Japan. Four members of a bosozoku biker gang face negligence charges after they torched a warehouse and home by launching fireworks from a car they drove around the streets of Higashi Hiroshima in the night of May 9 last year. One of the fireworks slammed into a wooden warehouse, setting it on fire. The blaze spread to the neighboring home of an electrician, who was forced to flee to safety with three family member. The four men (age from 21 to 22) are accused on an aggravated charge of causing a fire by negligence. 16.2.2005

http://www12.mainichi.co.jp/news/mdn/search-news/932208/fireworks-0-2.html

Families of blast victims compensated

Families of the 25 victims of the fireworks factory explosion that happened on Tuesday in Xiangfen, North China's Shanxi Province, can expect 150,000 yuan (US$18,000) in compensation.

Most of the dead were local female villagers, with a few from neighbouring counties, who had very limited knowledge about inflammable products and were vulnerable to accidents.

Another 200,000 yuan (US$24,000) has been allocated to the nine injured people. 17.1.2005

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-01/17/content_409444.htm

Man arrested in girl's fireworks injury

Honolulu. A man (33) turned himself in at the main police station last night and was booked on one count each of first-degree reckless endangering and second-degree assault. He was released without charges pending further investigation.

The arrest came a week after a home-made explosive device blew up during the New Year's Eve celebration in Aiea. The blast injured Cyndee Somera (11), who suffered broken bones in her wrist and severed tendons in her fingers. 8.1.2005

http://www.kpua.net/news.php?id=4197

Fireworks aplenty as top chef celebrates

The world's second best Chinese cook, S.H. Hu, was fined on Thursday night in the presence of Leiden Mayor Henri Lenferink for illegally setting off fireworks in front of his Asian Palace restaurant. Police said the master chef had not been in possession of a fireworks permit. 10.12.2004

http://www.expatica.com/source/site_article.asp?channel_id=1&story_id=14932

Man guilty over fireworks attack

Bryan Donaldson (56) who persuaded his wife to sign an insurance policy which would pay out if she died before him has been found guilty of trying to kill his wife Margaret (57), with fireworks at a cottage in Perthshire on 30 October last year. 9.12.2004

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4083577.stm

Four arrested over firework death

England. Four juveniles have been arrested on suspicion of murder following the death of a Sunderland man in a house fire. Arthur Lonsdale (52) died from smoke inhalation after a firework was allegedly pushed through his letterbox in Witherwack, Sunderland. 8.12.2004

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/wear/4078703.stm

Fireworks fight man fined £150

Victoria Terrace, Tebay. A man has landed in court for fighting with a villager who scared his dog by letting of fireworks. J.W. (27), attacked J.C. last November 7 when he was looking for his dog after it had run away because of the loud bangs. He was fined £150 and was ordered to pay £100 court costs. 4.11.2004

http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/viewarticle.aspx?id=150650

Teen Faces Charges in 76-Year-Old's Fireworks Death – Woman Dies When Fireworks Spark House fire

A boy (16) is charged with involuntary manslaughter in a fireworks incident that led to the death of a Eleanore Moll (76). Cook County prosecutors decided not to charge the teen as an adult but they upgraded the charges against him. The teen was originally charged with aggravated arson. 26.8.2004

http://cms.firehouse.com/content/article/article.jsp?id=34547&sectionId=46

Probe into incendiary fireworks

An Athens prosecutor is to look into whether anyone should be charged in connection with a forest fire caused by fireworks set off at a party by Athens 2004 Organizing Committee President Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki on Saturday.

Government spokesman Roussopoulos was yesterday non-specific but direct in his criticism. "Judging by the result, it appears that the fireworks should not have been set off", he said, adding however that permits had been issued for the display. 17.8.2004

http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/news/content.asp?aid=46094

Men charged for taping explosive to rabbit

Castro Valley, California/America. Strapped to a powerful explosive with a lit fuse, a bunny was tossed into Lake Don Castro. But the explosive didn't blow up, and the rabbit was pulled out of the water. Now his owner Nick Sigmon (18) and his friend Paul Collins (20) face misdemeanor charges of animal cruelty after photos of the July 13 incident surfaced on the Internet and re accused of taping an illegal M-1000 (a large firecracker equivalent to a quarter stick of dynamite). Sigmon said he adopted the bunny after almost running over her with his car, but can no longer care for her vecause he's starting college this fall, where he plans to study biology! 29.7.2004

http://www.usatoday.com/news/offbeat/2004-07-29-lucky-bunny_x.htm

Firework fan jailed for 18 months

David Kelly (43), a Nottingham Forest football supporter has been jailed for 18 months after being caught trying to take a firework (an 11cm-long firework and a screwdriver) to a match and was also been banned from football games for 8 years.

Judge Stephen Hopkins QC said: "The devise is one which had the capacity, by virtue of its pyrotechnic nature, to cause burns or even more serious injury."  23.7.2004 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/nottinghamshire/3921393.stm 

Police arrested 11-year-old girl for fireworks injury

Elkhart/America. Police have charged an 11-year-old girl with a felony for lighting a bottle rocket that exploded and burned a two-year-old boy. The children were playing in a park on July 7^th when the girl threw a lit bottle rocket. The rocket exploded near the Goshen boy's head, burning his face and arm. 17.7.2004

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/news/071704_ap_ns_fireworksinjury.html

Teens sought after puppies killed by fireworks. Attacks also injured another dog in Oklahoma town

Tulsa, Oklahoma/America. Six puppies were killed, apparently by fireworks placed in their mouths, shortly after teenage boys were seen carrying Roman candles in a north Tulsa neighborhood.

An older dog, a 4½-month-old black Labrador mix, suffered burns on her muzzle and hindquarters from apparently being used as a moving target for fireworks. 8.7.2004

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5331549/

Man sentenced for firework death

Anton Corion-Auguiste (20), lit the device, described as an "air bomb" during the rush hour in November 2002 in Huddersfield bus station. It knocked over Marie Wood (84) who hit her head on the floor and died later in hospital. Corion-Auguiste was found guilty of manslaughter at an earlier hearing and will be detained for 12 months to a young offenders' institution. 21.5.2004

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_yorkshire/3736615.stm

Soccer arrests

A fan and a part-time employee of the AEK soccer team were arrested on Sunday after trying to smuggle fireworks into the soccer stadium in the Athenian district of Kallithea where the team was playing the Cretan club of OFI. The two were arrested shortly before kickoff after officers confiscated 11 fireworks, 20 flares and 30 smoke bombs hidden in a box containing promotional leaflets for AEK. 18.5.2004

http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/news/content.asp?aid=42927

Charged with manslaughter after fireworks factory blast 

Valletta/Malta. A septuagenarian was charged with the manslaughter of a man who died in a fireworks factory blast in May 2002.

Valentino Azzopardi (75) pleaded not guilty to the involuntary homicide of Gaetano Cutajar, to being responsible for an employee who failed to obtain a licence for the manufacture of fireworks and for keeping other explosives without a licence. 3.5.2004

http://www.di-ve.com/dive/portal/portal.jhtml?id=135230&pid=23 

No fireworks

Police in Attica arrested two men and a woman after over 150,000 fireworks were found in a Peristeri convenience store and a Piraeus basement. 8.4.2004

http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/news/content.asp?aid=41562

Fireworks

A Komotini toystore owner has been charged with illegal possession of explosives after police confiscated more than 2,000 fireworks from his store. The unnamed shop owner did not have a license for selling the fireworks, which had probably been destined for use during traditional Easter celebrations, according to police. 7.4.2004

http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/news/content.asp?aid=41521

Police: Firework bounces back into car, burns baby

Middletown, Ohio/America. Nathaniel Scott Harden (18) was charged with aggravated arson and felonious assault. According to police, Harden lit the fuse on a mortar-style firework inside a moving car and attempted to throw it out the car's window, but the firework bounced back inside the car and exploded. The fireworks caused second-degree burns to the child's face, lips and neck. The child's mother was burned also. 29.12.2003

http://www.channelcincinnati.com/news/2729205/detail.html

Company fined for fireworks death

A western Sydney fireworks company has been fined $162,000 by the Industrial Relations Commission over an explosion which killed an employee in 2000. 22.12.2003

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200312/s1014955.htm

Judge sentences Man in fireworks case – Pearl City man given 5 years probation

Wilton Lum found guilty of selling 1,800 pounds of illegal fireworks was sentenced to five years probation. 900 pounds of aerials and 900 pounds of firecrackers were found at his Pearl City home. Although Lum won't serve any jail time, he'll be on probation for five years and will have to complete 150 hours community service work. 5.11.2003

http://www.thehawaiichannel.com/news/2615249/detail.html

Husband tried to kill wife with fireworks'

Glen Dochart Caravan Park, Luib, Crianlarich, Perthsihire. Bryan Donaldson is accused of abducting wife Margaret, who is also his business partner and keeping her captive in a house on the site last Thursday. It is alleged he grabbed her by the head and attempted to push her face into an open fire, before deliberately igniting fireworks with intent to cause her severe injury in an attempt to murder her. 4.11.2003

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/content_objectid=13588673_method=full_siteid=89488_headline=-HUSBAND--TRIED-TO-KILL-WIFE-WITH-FIREWORKS--name_page.html

Fireworks incident leads to lawsuit

Pascagoula. Heaven Price, on behalf of her sons, Kaine Price (9) and Cooper (10), says in her lawsuit that Louisiana-based Precision Pyrotechnics was negligent and caused her sons to become injured by an undetonated shell they and LaBarron Fairley (11) found on Pascagoula Beach the day after the City of Pascagoula's Fourth of July celebration. One of the boys' sister found the shell, which possibly landed unexploded near the pier, floating in the beach waters. The tree boys were burned after they opened the shell and its tubes, containing black powder, placed it on the seawall and applied a lighter to its contents.

The lawsuit argues that Precision Pyrotechnic's contract with the city required that the company, through its nature of conducting business "exercise the utmost caution" in preventing any harm resulting from their show or products.

The lawsuit, however, places blame on Precision Pyrotechnics because all the shells were not retrieved following the fireworks show. 26.9.2003

http://www.gulflive.com/mississippi/index.ssf?/base/news/10645713459650.xml

Teen charged in fireworks injury

Columbus. Police have charged a boy (18) with aggravated arson, alleging he was among a group of pranksters tossing fireworks at the vehicles stuck in traffic form the city's downtown fireworks show when one of the fireworks came whizzing through the open driver's window in a car, injuring Markeisha Madison (12) with third-degree burns on her back and left arm on July 3. 19.7.2003

http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2003/07/19/loc_oh-fireworks19.html

Alaska Air Flight Diverted To Tulsa After Fireworks Found Onboard

Tulsa. An Alaska Air flight from Seattle was diverted to Tulsa Thursday afternoon after a passenger brought fireworks and a knife on board. Jack Walsh, a spokesman for Alaska Airlines says the plane was carrying 165 passengers on a non-stop flight and that the passengers were evacuated from the plane after it landed safely in Tulsa. 3.7.2003

http://www.ktul.com/news/stories/0703/93529.html

Fireworks verdict voided - Boy lost most of hand in '95 blast

South Jersey. A state appeals court set aside a $1.6 million jury award to a Woodbury Heights boy who lost most of his left hand in a 1995 fireworks explosion.

The court reinstated a $977,300 damage settlement Brenden Wasniewski’s family reached in 2001 with the fireworks manufacturer and its insurance carrier.The Appellate Court decision found Deptford Township was not liable for the undetonated device Wasniewski – then 10 years old – found after a Deptford Day fireworks show at Fasola Park. Wasniewski took the device home and ignited it about a month later. The explosion left him with only his little finger and part of his thumb.

The case went to trial in 2001: a jury awarded $1.6 million to Wasniewski, including $896,000 to be paid by Deptford. But the appeals panel, noting that the legal issue appears to be unprecedented in New Jersey, reasoned that the rocket the boy took home was not public property (judges: the firework once removed from the park was no longer 'controlled by the public entity')." 3.6.2003

http://www.southjerseynews.com/issues/june/m060303b.htm  

Family wants firework ban

Professional footballer Luke Rodgers was this week ordered to pay £5,000 compensation to Castle Bromwich girl Sarah Morris who was disfigured by a firework rocket he let off. Rodgers was also ordered by a judge at Warwick Crown Court to do 100 hours community punishment. 2.5.2003

http://icsolihull.icnetwork.co.uk/news/local/page.cfm?objectid=12913488&method=full&siteid=91411

Business man gets three years over women's firework ordeal

Rawmarsh/England. A man (32) is starting a three-year prison sentence today because he had let off a firework that caused horrific injuries to two women and "destroyed their lives". One woman needed emergency plastic surgery and still bears horrendous scars from the explosive. She now suffers panic attacks and regular nightmares. The other woman took the initial impact of the blast in her foot. She still needs crutches to walk, suffers from hearing problems and will be scarred for life.

Source: "Business man gets three years over women's firework ordeal", 16.4.2003, http://www.yorkshiretoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=55&ArticleID=441248 

Ex-tenant is locked up

Actress Lynda Bellingham's former tenant Miller has been locked up in a mental hospital for attempting to firebomb her home. Miller hurled a firework tied to a rock and soaked in inflammable liquid through her lounge window as she slept. The noise failed to wake her and the crude device failed to ignite. Miller was charged with attempted arson with intent to endanger life as well as a lesser charge of being reckless as to whether her life was put in danger. Miller denied both counts and was due to stand trial on Wednesday at Blackfriars Crown Court, London.

Miller has been ordered to stay at Chase Farm Hospital in Enfield, until he was better. 12.2.2003

http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,15410-12244952,00.html

Player's trial

The professional footballer Luke Rodgers (21) pleaded not guilty at Warwick Crown Court to 'unlawfully and maliciously by explosion of gunpowder' causing bodily injury to 16-year-old Sarah Morris. It is alleged Rodgers was responsible for the firework, which was let off outside the Spitfire pub in Castle Bromwich on October 10, hitting Sarah. It was said to have been fired towards her and two friends. The firework stuck to her skin and aused severe burns to her face and upper ches, and as a result, she had to undergo emergency surgery and skin grafts. 24.1.2003

http://icsolihull.icnetwork.co.uk/news/local/page.cfm?objectid=12565813&method=full&siteid=91411

Company fined over fireworks death

A Sydney fireworks display company has been fined $162,500 over the death of an employee in an explosion and fire three-and-a-half years ago. The man died on August 3, 2000, as he was preparing up to 28 aerial shells in a shed at a factory owned by Foti's International Fireworks (Displays). 24.1.2003

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/12/24/1071941761647.html

Shanghai customs seizes smuggled fireworks

Customs authorities in Shanghai recently seized 70 tons of smuggled fireworks worth more than 400,000 yuan (about US$48,193). The fireworks were found at the Waigaoqiao checkpoint in early July. The Shanghai Customs authorities and the Shanghai Customs Police have fined the owner of the goods 90,000 yuan (US$10,843). 12.8.2002

http://service.china.org.cn/link/wcm/Show_Text?info_id=39194&p_qry=fireworks

Kalihi business indicted over fireworks

Honolulu. Sam Hugh, the vice president of Ham Produce Seafood, a Kalihi-area fish and produce distribution company, has been indicted on federal charges of importing large "display-type" aerial fireworks without a license. Federal customs and Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agents seized a quarter million dollars worth of aerial display fireworks from Ham Produce Seafood, Inc. Federal agents seized 466 cartons of "heavy explosive material" from the Ham Produce warehouse on June 27. 1.7.2002

http://www.thehawaiichannel.com/news/1539771/detail.html

Indiana Businessman Found Guilty of Illegally Selling Professional Display Fireworks To Consumers
Washington/America. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is announcing that an Indiana businessman faces up to 35 years in federal prison and a $1,000,000 fine after an Indiana jury found him guilty of selling display fireworks to consumers.
Kenneth B. Shearer of Toledo, Ohio, who operates All American Professional Fireworks, a fireworks retailer in Angola, Indiana, was found guilty of dealing in display fireworks without an ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms) license. He was also found guilty of intentionally putting false hazard labels on cartons of fireworks. These labels hid the fact that the fireworks were powerful display devices that could mass detonate if there were an accident while they were being transported on the nation's highways.
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Office of Information and Public Affairs, Washington, 26.6.2002
http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/Prerel/PRHTML02/02188.html

Six Seattle Men Indicted For Manufacturing and Distributing Illegal Fireworks
Seattle/America. 24.4.2002, a federal grand jury in Seattle indicted Victor A. Dell of Bremerton, Wash., and Donald K. Rockwell, also of Bremerton, on conspiracy to manufacture and distribute illegal flash powder devices and to manufacture explosives without a license.
26.6.2002, a grand jury handed down additional indictments against Leonard Wayne and Kevin Lobehan, both of Auburn, Wash., and Raymond Secena and Albert Ortivez, both of Oakvill, Wash. All four were indicted for engaging in the business of dealing in explosives without licenses, and three of them were indicted for violating the Federal Hazardous Substances Act (FHSA) by distributing banned hazardous substances.
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Office of Information and Public Affairs, Washington, 27.6.2002
http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PREREL/prhtml02/02190.html

Firework left woman nearly blind in one eye

Crosland Moor/England. When Ellen Furey (31) was heading back from shops, a firework went off in her face and left her virtually blind in one eye. She has only 5% sight in her left eye and could lose it completely.

One of the youths (19) said to be responsible for lighting the firework, pleaded guilty to letting off a firework in Walpole Road on October 23, 2001, and was given a 12-month conditional discharge; meaning he will not be punished unless he commits another offence within a year. He was also ordered to pay £300 compensation to Miss Furey, plus £45 costs. Miss Furey said: "I don't feel justice has been done. That compensation is just a joke after all I've suffered." 9.3.2002  

Source:

"Woman is hit by firework", 9.3.2002, http://ichuddersfield.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100localnews/page.cfm?objectid=11688122&method=full&siteid=50060

"Huge cost of firework damag"e, 21.10.2002, http://ichuddersfield.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100localnews/page.cfm?objectid=12300901&method=full&siteid=50060

Boys held for cracker in dog's mouth

Port Shepstone (largest towon on the South coast in South Africa). Two teenagers (18 and 15) are to appear in the Port Shepstone Magistrate's Court after they allegedly set off a firecracker in a dog's mouth. They are charged with contravening the Animals Protection Act. Graham Edwards, manager of the Lower South Coast SPCA, said the cracker had caused splitting of the dog's cheeks, gums and the roof of its mouth. 3.1.2002

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=13&art_id=ct20020103202408416F620569

Six sentenced for fireworks explosion

Six people responsible for a fireworks factory explosion that killed 40 people in Jiangmen City of south China's Guangdong Province in June last year, were given imprisonment terms ranging from three to five years Wednesday. The explosion was found to be ignited by sparks produced by Wang Xiaoling, who pounded iron nails inside the warehouse building used to stockpile fireworks and explosive materials. While 40 were killed in the blasts, over 130 people were injured, 45 of whom were disabled. Some 1,700 residential houses and 66 factories and mines near the site were damaged with property losses totalling over 2.5 million yuan worth. 29.11.2001

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/en/doc/2001-11/29/content_95976.htm

Two People Sentenced for Selling Illegal Fireworks in Washington State
U.S. District Court Judge John C. Coughenour sentenced Dean Fryberg, of Marysville, Wash., to one year in federal prison for illegally manufacturing and storing explosive materials without a license. Rodney Glenn Simpson, of Marysville, Wash., was sentenced to 14 months in federal prison for dealing and distributing illegal explosives. Fryberg was involved in the manufacture of illegal fireworks known as M-80s, silver salutes and red bombs, and Simpson was involved in the sale of illegal M-80s, M-1000s, and other devices.
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Office of Information and Public Affairs, Washington, 22.5.2001
http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PREREL/prhtml01/01159.html

Oregon Company Ordered to Stop Selling Chemicals Used To Make Illegal Fireworks
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), announced today that Springfield Scientific Supplies Inc., of Springfield, Ore., has agreed to stop selling chemicals that could be used to manufacture illegal fireworks devices, such as M-80s, quarter-sticks, M-1000s, and tennis ball bombs.
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Office of Information and Public Affairs, Washington, 27.4.2001
http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PREREL/prhtml01/01136.html

Two People Sentenced for Selling Illegal Fireworks in Wisconsin
U.S. District Court Judge Charles N. Clevert sentenced Donald R. Peters, of Green Bay, Wis., and his daughter, Peggy S. Malueg, also of Green Bay, for their role in the illegal sale and transportation of fireworks devices commonly known as quarter-sticks, half-sticks and M-80s. Peters, owner and operator of Uncle Sam's Fireworks stores in Wisconsin's, Washington and Brown counties, was sentenced to 30 months in prison and fined the maximum fine of $60,000. He also forfeited $300,000 to the federal government as proceeds from his illegal activities. Malueg, vice president, was sentenced to 8 months in prison and fined $6,000. Both were banned from owning, operating or taking part in any business involved in the sale of fireworks or explosive devices.
Three others plead guilty to charges involving the manufacture and sale of illegal fireworks resulting from this investigation.
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Office of Information and Public Affairs, Washington 3.3.2000
http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PREREL/prhtml100/00075.html

Firefighter suing fireworks company
James Clark (39), a local firefighter, who lost his left hand and right index finger and thumb in an explosion while setting off Fort Saskatchewan's Canada Day fireworks show July 1, 1997, has started a $3.25 million lawsuit against a fireworks manufacturer saying that the maufacturer of the fireworks did not provide proper instructions in English.

The roman candle was fired upside down because the firefighters did not know exactly what it was, exploded, blasting its contents into the gound and back against Clark. Wearing helmet, face mask, gloves and safety jacket was not enough to prevent injury. 3.8.1999

http://www.fortsaskinfo.com/thepost/issues/4-30/story2.htm

CPSC Announces Indictments in Multistate Fireworks Investigation
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in cooperation with the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin today announced that three people have been indicted, and two others have agreed to plead guilty to federal charges resulting from a multistate illegal fireworks investigation. These are the first indictments and plea agreements in an ongoing investigation that has been expanded to other states including Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri and Washington. CPSC conducts fireworks surveillance and enforcement throughout the year. Each year, CPSC stops hundreds of shipments of hazardous fireworks before they reach the store shelves. Working with U.S. Customs Service since 1988, CPSC has seized or detained more than 400 million hazardous fireworks at the docks.

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Office of Information and Public Affairs, Washington, 1.7.1999
http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PREREL/PRHTML99/99134.html

Schneitter Fireworks and Importing Co. Inc. to Pay $60,000 Civil Penalty for Importing Banned Fireworks
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today that Schneitter Fireworks and Importing Co. Inc. of St. Joseph, Mo., has agreed to pay a civil penalty of $60,000 to settle allegations that it violated both the Federal Hazardous Substances Act and the Commission's Fireworks Regulations by importing banned fireworks. CPSC alleges that between June 5, 1991, and April 9, 1997, Schneitter illegally imported for sale over 4 million banned fireworks devices for distribution in the United States.
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Office of Information and Public Affairs, Washington, 30.11.1998

http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PREREL/PRHTML99/99028.html

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Bedingte Geldstrafe wegen fahrlässiger Tötung und Vergehen gegen das Sprengstoffgesetz

Schweiz. Bedingte Geldstrafe wegen fahrlässiger Tötung und Vergehen gegen das Sprengstoffgesetz: Dieses Urteil wurde gegen den Ueberlebenden einer Pfadiübung vom 22.11.2008 in Adlikon gefällt. Die Höhe der bedingten Geldstrafe beträgt 90 Tagessätze zu 40 Franken. Zudem muss der Verurteilte eine Busse von 1200 Franken zahlen. Bei einer Pfadiübung hatte der damals 18-Jährige mit einem 16-jährigen Kollegen einen selbst gebastelten Feuerwerkskörper gezündet. Wegen einem Fehler explodierte die Ladung ohne Verzögerung. Der 16-Jährige erlitt tödliche Kopf-, der 18-Jährige schwere Halsverletzungen.  

Quelle:

"Pfadfinder nach tödlichem Feuerwerksunfall verurteilt", 2.7.2010, http://www.tagesanzeiger.ch/zuerich/region/Pfadfinder-nach-toedlichem-Feuerwerksunfall-verurteilt/story/25685472 "Urteil zur tödlichen Pfadiübung", 2.7.2010, http://news.search.ch/inland/2010-07-02/urteil-zur-toedlichen-pfadiuebung

"Pfadihelfer wegen fahrlässiger Tötung verurteilt", 2.7.2010, http://www.nzz.ch/nachrichten/zuerich/pfadihelfer_wegen_fahrlaessiger_toetung_verurteilt_1.6362990.html "Tödlicher Pfadi-Unfall: Geldstrafe für Helfer", 2.7.2010, http://www.landbote.ch/no_cache/detail/article/toedlicher-pfadi-unfall-geldstrafe-fuer-helfer/gnews/99105820/:

Fussball-Fan muss Strafe zahlen

Deutschland. Ein Jurastudent, der vor einem Spiel Arminia Bielefeld gegen Union Berlin am 13.12.2009 in der Schüco-Arena als Union-Fan einen Böller geworfen hatte, wurde am 10.6.2010 wegen fahrlässiger Körperverletzung verurteilt. Er bekam eine Geldstrafe in Höhe von 900 Euro (90 Tagessätze).

Quelle: "Berliner Fussball-Fan muss Strafe zahlen", 11.6.2010, http://www.westfalen-blatt.de/nachrichten/regional/bielefeld.php?id=38940&artikel=1

Böllerwurf: Bewährung für Fan

Düsseldorf/Deutschland. Ein 26-jähriger Fortuna-Fan gestand am 3.5.2010 vor dem Amtsgericht, dass er vor einem Jahr bei dem Fortuna-Spiel gegen Dynamo Dresden in der Arena einen China-Böller gezündet und in die Zuschauermenge im Unterrang geworfen hatte. Nur durch Glück wurde niemand verletzt. Andere Zuschauer, die damals neben dem Böller-Werfer sassen, hatten den 26-Jährigen noch während des Spiels beim Ordnungsdienst und der Polizei gemeldet. - Der Richter wertete die Tat als versuchte gefährliche Körperverletzung und verhängte eine Bewährungsstrafe von acht Monaten.

Quelle: "Böllerwurf: Bewährung für Fan", 4.5.2010, http://www.rp-online.de/duesseldorf/duesseldorf-stadt/sport/fortuna/Boellerwurf-Bewaehrung-fuer-Fan_aid_852773.html

Frau und Kind mit Böllern beschossen?

Deutschland. Zwei Brüder (22, 25) aus Schwerte stehen seit dem 1.12.2009 wegen versuchter Brandstiftung und versuchter Körperverletzung vor der Jugendkammer des Hagener Landgerichts. Gegen 20 Uhr am 28.12.2007, so heisst es in der Anklageschrift, hätten die Brüder von einem Bahndamm aus eine Silvesterrakete auf das Dach eines Hauses in der Ostberger Strasse geschossen. Als in direkter Nähe eine Frau mit einem Kleinkind auf dem Arm aus einem Auto stieg, sollen sie auch in ihre Richtung mindestens zwei Feuerwerkskörper abgeschossen haben. Das Verfahren wird am 11. Dezember fortgesetzt.

Quelle: "Frau und Kind mit Böllern beschossen?", 2.12.2009, http://www.derwesten.de/nachrichten/staedte/schwerte/2009/12/2/news-142421811/detail.html

Mit Feuerwerkskörper gequält

Ulm/Deutschland. Wegen versuchten Mordes und schwerer Körperverletzung in zwei Fällen sowie schweren Raubs hat die Staatsanwaltschaft Ulm gegen zwei Männer Anklage erhoben. Den 20- und 27-Jährigen wird vorgeworfen, im März 2009 einen 60-Jährigen brutal gequält, erniedrigt und schliesslich ausgeraubt zu haben, wie die Staatsanwaltschaft Ulm am 23.7.2009 mitteilte. ... U.a. wurde dem Opfer ein Feuerwerkskörper in den Mund gesteckt und angezündet. ...

Quelle: "Zwei Männer nach Gewaltorgie wegen versuchten Mordes angeklagt", 23.7.2009, http://www.news-adhoc.com/zwei-maenner-nach-gewaltorgie-wegen-versuchten-mordes-angeklagt-idna2009072341588/

Drei Jahre Haft für Böller-Würfe

Hannover/Deutschland. Ein 27-Jähriger aus Hannover muss drei Jahre ins Gefängnis, weil er in der Nacht zum 3. August 2008 durch die geöffneten Fenster zweier Wohnungen in der Hauptstrasse und am Künzerweg einen sogenannten Heuler und eine Feuerwerksrakete in zwei Kinderzimmer geworfen hat. Das Landgericht Hannover verurteilte den Mann wegen schwerer Brandstiftung.

Quelle:

"Knast für Böllerwürfe in Kinderzimmer", 25.2.2009, http://www.abendblatt.de/daten/2009/02/25/1063368.html

"Niedersachsen. Drei Jahre Haft für Böller-Wurf", 26.2.2009, http://www.welt.de/welt_print/article3275527/Bremen-Bremen-will-Geld-vom-AC-Mailand-Schleswig-Holstein-Einbrecher-im-Amtsgericht-Niedersachsen-Drei-Jahre-Haft-fuer-Boeller-Wurf-Celle-schafft-Behoerdendeutsch-ab-Mehr-Geld-fuer-Uni-Hilfskraefte-Kein-weiterer-Harz-Wanderweg-Mehr-Falschg.html 

"Haftstrafe. Feuerwerk im Kinderzimmer", 26.2.2009, http://www.abendblatt.de/daten/2009/02/26/1063901.html

"Irrer Brandstifter wirft Böller in Baby-Bett", 26.2.2009, http://www.bild.de/BILD/news/2009/02/25/brandstifter-wirft-boeller/in-baby-bett-anklage-wegen-schwerer-brandstiftung.html

Mit gezielten Böllern einen Wohnungsbrand verursacht

Bitterfeld-Wolfen/Deutschland. Das Amtsgericht Bitterfeld-Wolfen erliess Haftbefehl gegen einen Mann. Der 31-Jährige soll gegen 18.50 Uhr am 31.12.2008 durch gezielte Böller und Knaller auf den Balkon in der 4. Etage in einem Hochhaus in der Bertolt-Brecht-Strasse in Wolfen (Landkreis Anhalt-Bitterfeld) einen Wohnungsbrand verursacht haben. Drei Personen wurden leicht verletzt, 14 Personen mussten evakuiert werden. Es entstand Sachschaden von rund 10'000 Euro.

Quelle:

"Polizeibericht Anhalt-Bitterfeld vom 01.01.2009", http://www.halleforum.de/Halle-Nachrichten/Polizeibericht-AnhaltBitterfeld-vom-01.01.2009/18457 

"Brandstifter aus der Silvesternacht ermittelt", 14.1.2009, http://www.mz-web.de/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=ksta/page&atype=ksArtikel&aid=1231908905554&openMenu=1012902958597&calledPageId=1012902958597&listid=1018348861777

Mit Feuerwerk Brand ausgelöst: Drei Jugendliche als Brandverursacher angeklagt

Latzfons, Südtirol/Italien. In der Silvesternacht 2008 war kurz nach Mitternacht in der Wohnsiedlung Gfoda bei einer an einem neuen Haus angebauten Holzhütte ein Brand ausgebrochen. Die Flammen hatten auch auf den Dachstuhl des Hauses, die Hauswandverkleidung und einen Wintergarten übergegriffen. Eine Bewohnerin erlitt eine leichte Rauchvergiftung. Sachschaden: rund 120'000 Euro. - Den Carabinieri von Klausen gelang es später, die Verursacher, drei junge Männer des Dorfes im Alter zwischen 18 und 20 Jahren, dieses durch einen Feuerwerkskörper entfachten Brandes ausfindig zu machen. Ihnen wird fahrlässige Brandstiftung, Körperverletzung und unerlaubtes Zünden von Feuerwerkskörpern vorgeworfen. 1.1.2009

Quelle:

"Mit Feuerwerk Brand ausgelöst", 2.1.2009, http://www.dolomiten.it/nachrichten/artikel.asp?KatID=da&p=5&ArtID=130566

Klausen: Drei Jugendliche als Brandverursacher angeklagt, 12.1.2009,  http://www.dolomiten.it/nachrichten/artikel.asp?KatID=da&p=5&ArtID=131083

Feuerwerks-Explosion in Dönerimbiss

Freiberg/Deutschland. In der Nacht zum 21.11.2007 kam es durch Böller zu einer Detonation in einem Dönerimbiss, wodurch die Doppelglasscheibe zerstört wurde und es Beschädigungen im Innenraum gab. Vier Männer und eine Frau, die sich vor dem bzw. im Imbiss aufgehalten hatten sowie der Imbissbetreiber selbst erlitten durch den Knall Hörschäden, die ambulant behandelt werden mussten. Sachschadn: ca. 5000 Euro. Von Freiberger Kriminalisten wurden zwei junge Männer (17, 19) als Täter ermittelt. Der 19-Jährige hatte eine grössere Menge in Deutschland nicht erlaubter Silvesterböller in Tschechien gekauft. Mehrere dieser Böller bastelte er zusammen und brachte sie zur Explosion.

Böller im Bus: Bewährungsstrafe

Deutschland. Ein Mann (23), der kurz vor Silvester 2007 an der Haltestelle Stensstrasse in Weitmar einen Böller in einen Bus der Linie 354 geworfen hat – dabei erlitt eine Frau (74) einen Hörschaden - wurde am 6.10.2008 vom Amtsgericht wegen gefährlicher Körperverletzung zu sechs Monaten Haft auf Bewährung verurteilt.

Quelle: "Böller im Bus: Bewährungsstrafe", 6.10.2008, http://www.ruhrnachrichten.de/lokales/bolo/Bochum;art932,375164

Feuerwerk gezündet: Schweizer in Siena festgenommen

Siena/Italien. Sechs junge Schweizer wurden festgenommen, nachdem sie auf einer Strasse inmitten des Verkehrs Feuerwerk abgebrannt hatten. In ihrem Lieferwagen wurden über 3000 Feuerwerkskörper entdeckt. 4.8.2008

Quelle:

"Feuerwerk gezündet: Schweizer in Siena festgenommen", 6.8.2008, http://www.baz.ch/news/ticker.cfm?keyID=6BF9B4A6-7C45-4B8B-AAC0F6F27F40F7A6&startpage=1&ObjectID=9900F993-1422-0CEF-70CFB2D93A9FB01A

"Junge Schweizer in Siena festgenommen", 6.8.2008, http://www.bielertagblatt.ch/News/Schweiz/117650

Grasbrand durch Feuerwerkskörper

Basel/Schweiz. Ende letzter Woche warfen drei Jugendliche im Alter von 11 und 12 Jahren Feuerwerkskörper bei der Kaltbrunnen-Promenade auf den dortigen Bahndamm, worauf sich das Gras auf der Böschung entzündete. Die Jugendanwaltschaft Basel-Stadt hat gegen die drei Jugendlichen ein Strafverfahren wegen fahrlässiger Verursachung einer Feuersbrunst eingeleitet.

Quelle: "Vorsicht beim Umgang mit Feuerwerkskörpern", 30.7.2008, http://www.baz.ch

Aus der 'schönen Pyro-Show' wurde ein teurer Gerichtstermin

Basel/Schweiz. Während des Fussballmatchs FC Basel – ZC Zürich am 2. Mai 2008 im St. Jakob-Park schossen "FCZ-Chaoten" aus dem Gästesektor rund 16 brennende Seemannsfackeln teilweise in den FCB-Familiensektor, teilweise auf das unter ihnen liegende, aus Sicherheitsgründen nicht besetzte Parkett. Zwei Zuschauer im FCB-Sektor erlitten dadurch Verletzungen.

Am 18. Mai 2010 standen drei FCZ-Fans (24, 25, 26) vor dem Basler Strafgericht. Die Staatsanwaltschaft warf ihnen Landfriedensbruch und Zuwiderhandlung gegen das Sprengstoffgesetz vor, unter das die nach Zünden bis 1000 Grad heissen pyrotechnischen Artikel fallen. Aus Videoaufnahmen aus der Stadion-Ueberwachung ging hervor, dass die drei Angeklagten die brandheissen Geschosse nicht gegen den FCB-Sektor geschleudert, sondern auf den freien Boden vor dem Gästesektor geworfen hatten.

Das Strafgericht verurteilte die Feuer-Werfer in zwei Fällen zu unbedingten Geldstrafen von 270 Tagesätzen à 110 Franken (total 29'700 Franken) und 150 Tagessätzen à 110 Franken (total 16'500 Franken). Der 25-Jährige kam mit einer auf drei Jahre bedingten Geldstrafe von 150 Tagessätzen à 130 Franken (total 19'100 Franken) davon. Ausserdem müssen die Drei die Verfahrenskosten tragen.

Quelle: "Aus der 'schönen Pyro-Show' wurde ein teurer Gerichtstermin", 18.5.2010, http://www.onlinereports.ch/News.109+M5f982e86189.0.html

Feuerwerkskörper abgebrannt in Kirche

Nazareth/Israel. Ein Mann wurde wegen eines Anschlags auf eine Kirche zu drei Jahren Haft verurteilt, seine Frau zu sechs Monaten. Am 3. März dieses Jahres kam das Ehepaar mit seiner Tochter (20) und einem Kinderwagen, in dem sie Feuerwerkskörper und einen Benzinkanister versteckt hatten, in die Verkündigungsbasilika. Sie entzündeten mehrere Sprengsätze in der Kirche, was zu Ausschreitungen führte, in denen 13 Polizisten und 13 Zivilisten verletzt wurden.

Quelle: "Haftstrafen für Anschlag auf Verkündigungsbasilika", 13.12.2006, http://www.israelnetz.de/show.sxp/12821.html?sxpident=568-oN-----rd----72976891680359h-XDy

Brand war Brandstiftung

Bremgarten/Schweiz. Am 1.8.2006 brannte die Hochsprunganlage beim Schulhaus vollständig nieder. Sachschaden: rund 30'000 Franken. Zwei Knaben sind geständig, den Brand mit Feuerwerkskörpern gelegt zu haben.

Quelle: "Brand in Bremgarten: Zwei Jugendliche geständig", 3.8.2006, http://www.espace.ch/artikel_241791.html 

120 Arbeitsstunden im Klärwerk

Deutschland. Zwei Jungs (beide 18), die Anfang Mai einen Igel mit Feuerwerkskörpern in die Luft gesprengt hatten, standen jetzt wegen Tierquälerei vor dem Amtsgericht Rastatt (Baden-Württemberg). Das Urteil des Richters: 120 Arbeitsstunden im stinkenden Klärwerk!

Quelle: "Richter schickt Igel-Killer zum Schuften ins Klärwerk", 29.7.2006, http://www.bild.t-online.de/BTO/news/aktuell/2006/07/28/igel-killer-klaerwerk/igel-killer-klaerwerk.html

Prozess um Silvesterknallkörper

Ein Mann (22), der einer Frau (23) in der Silvesternacht von 2004 auf 2005 auf einer Party einen Knallkörper mit brennender Lunte in die Hand gedrückt haben soll, muss sich vor dem Amtsgericht verantworten. Als Folge der Verletzungen mussten der Frau zwei Fingerkuppen der rechten Hand amputiert werde.

Quelle:

"Prozess um Silvesterknaller", 19.6.2006, http://www.rbb-online.de/_/nachrichten/vermischtes/beitrag_jsp/key=news4369256.html

"Sie lachten, sie feierten, und plötzlich waren zwei Finger weg", 21.6.2006, http://bz.berlin1.de/aktuell/berlin/060620/finger.html

789 Kilo Feuerwerk in Wohnung gelagert

Frankfurt/Deutschland. Ein Mann hatte 789 Kilo Böller und Silvesterraketen in seiner Wohnung gelagert. Jetzt kommt auf den Mann ein Verfahren wegen Verstosses gegen das Sprengstoffgesetz zu. Laut Polizei hätte es in dem reinen Wohngebiet zu einer gewaltigen Explosion kommen können.

Quelle: "789 Kilo Böller in der Wohnung", 30.12.2005, http://www.rhein-main.net/sixcms/list.php?page=fnp2_news_article&id=2692257

Ermittlungverfahren wegen versuchter gefährlicher Körperverletzung

Giessen. Auf dem Hof der Kindertagesstätte in der Reichenberger Strasse, auf dem sich auch spielende Kinder befanden, waren selbstgebastelte Böller gezündet worden. Polizeibeamte ermittelten einen Jungen (12), der mit zwei anderen Jugendlichen (beide 16) die Feuerwerkskörper gezündet hatte. Bei der Wohnungsdurchsuchung des einen Jugendlichen wurden 208 Feuerwerkskörper sichergestellt. Einer der Jugendlichen hatte selber einen Böller, der mit einer Glühbirne verbunden war, um damit eine Splitterwirkung zu erzielen, gebaut. Es wurde ein Ermittlungsverfahren wegen versuchter gefährlicher Körperverletzung eingeleitet. 5.9.2005

http://www.presseportal.de/polizeipresse/p_story.htx?nr=722149

Aufruf im Internet: Abschiessen von Feuerwerkskörpern während Flugshow

Die niederländische Polizei hat vier Verdächtige wegen Vorbereitung eines Anschlags bei einer Flugshow in Rotterdam festgenommen. Sie sollen im Internet dazu aufgerufen haben, während der Show Feuerwerkskörper abzuschiessen, um die Piloten zu irritieren.

Einer der Festgenommenen schrieb im Internet, er könne eine Rauchbombe zünden, damit die Kunstflieger "gegen den Pfeiler" einer Brücke, unter der sie durchfliegen sollten, "krache".

Die von der Polizei entdeckten Texte erschienen auf der Internetseite eines Fanclubs des Fussballvereins Feyenoord Rotterdam.

Laut Anwalt eines der Festgenommenen "könne von ernsthaften Plänen für einen Anschlag keine Rede sein".

Quelle:

"Anschlag bei Flugshow geplant: Vier Festnahmen", 12.6.2005, http://morgenpost.berlin1.de/content/2005/06/13/aus_aller_welt/759638.html

"Feuerwerk während Flugshow: Polizei vermutet Anschlagspläne", 12.6.2005, http://www.n-tv.de/543023.html

"Anschlag gegen Piloten möglich", 13.6.2005, http://www.salzburg.com/sn/archiv_artikel.php?xm=1582558&res=0

Jugendlicher darf keine Feuerwerkskörper mehr bei sich tragen

Dale Carroll alias "Elms" aus Cheetham am Rande von Manchester darf fünf Jahre lang weder Kapuzen-Sweatshirt noch Mütze tragen, weil er seine Nachbarschaft in Angst und Schrecken versetzt hat. Ausserdem darf er keine Feuerwerkskörper, keine Axt und keine Säge mehr bei sich tragen. Diese Strafe verhängte erstmals ein Gericht in Manchester im Rahmen der Richtlinie gegen "Anti-soziales Verhalten", mit der Kleinkriminalität bekämpft werden soll. Carroll verlor damit die Attribute, über die er sich mit seinesgleichen identifizierte. 27.5.2005

http://www.rp-online.de/public/article/nachrichten/journal/justiz/ausland/91509

Tonnenweise Pyrotechnik in Garage gelagert

Werlte. In einer Garage entdeckten die Beamten des Kriminal- und Ermittlungsdienstes (Polizeikommissariat Papenburg) bei einer Durchsuchung pyrotechnische Munition im Gesamtwarenwert von rund 50'000 Euro. Die Doppelgarage, in der die fast zwei Tonnen Pyrotechnik lagerten, liegt mitten in einem Wohngebiet. Aufgrund der Art und der grossen Menge der pyrotechnischen Gegenstände sowie der falschen und unerlaubten Lagerung bestand ein grosses Gefahrenpotential.

Der 27jährige Beschuldigte, gegen den ein Ermittlungsverfahren nach dem Waffengesetz und dem Gesetz über explosionsgefährliche Stoffe eingeleitet wurde, bot an und verkaufte über das Internet. Zu den Abnehmern der Rauchbomben und bengalischen Feuer sowie weiterer Feuerwerkskörper gehörten auch Fanclubs von Fussballvereinen.

Ein Spezialunternehmen musste die hochexplosiven Materialien abtransportieren. 27.5.2005

http://www.neue-oz.de/information/noz_print/kreis_emsland/11065701.html

Mann festgenommen wegen Werfens von Feuerwerk in eine Menschenmenge 

Darmstadt. Nach Zeugenhinweisen wurde ein deutlich alkoholisierter Mann (27) unter dem Verdacht festgenommen, während einer Musikdarbietung im Rahmen des Schlossgrabenfestes gegen 22.45 Uhr vor einer Bühne am Karolinenplatz zunächst ein bengalisches Feuer in die vor der Bühne stehende Menschenmenge und kurz darauf eine "Rauchbombe" auf die Bühne geworfen zu haben. Es wird wegen versuchter gefährlicher Körperverletzung gegen den Mann ermittelt. 26.5.2005

http://www.presseportal.de/polizeipresse/p_story.htx?nr=683610

Nach Hausverbot aus Rache den Wagen angezündet

Wegen zweifacher Brandstiftung an zwei PKW's im Juli und September vergangenen Jahres, vor einem Lokal an der Portastrasse in Barkhausen, verurteilte das Schöffengericht einen Mann (39) zu einer 22-monatigen Bewährungsstrafe. Seine ehemalige Freundin (23), die den Brandstifter mit ihrem Wagen gefahren hatte, erhielt für ihre Beihilfe dazu zehn Monate auf Bewährung.

Der Mann verwendete das Pulver einer Schrotpatrone als Brandbeschleuniger, ebenso wie verschiedene Feuerwerkskörper. In der Nacht zum 24. Juli entzündete der Mann aus Rache den in Papier eingewickelten Mix aus Feuerwerkskörper und Pulver an einem Wagen, der dem Sohn des Wirtes gehörte, der ihm zuvor Lokalverbot erteilt hatte. Schaden (an dem mittels Feuerwerk in Brand gesetzten Wagen): 1000 Euro. 20.5.2005

http://www.mt-online.de/mt/lokales/minden/?sid=6f1bf160ce281da3f68506fc417afa35&cnt=481165

Unvorsichtiger Umgang mit Feuerwerk "kostet" bis zu drei Jahren Gefängnis

Pressemitteilung Nr. 102/2004; Berlin, der 28.12.2004

Ein Mann, der in der Silvesternacht 2003/2004 einem Passanten versehentlich eine Rakete derart gegen das linke Auge geschossen hat, dass das Opfer erblindete, muss sich dafür demnächst vor Gericht verantworten. Die Staatsanwaltschaft Berlin hat eine entsprechende Anklage wegen fahrlässiger Körperverletzung erhoben, dem Angeschuldigten drohen Geldstrafe oder eine Freiheitsstrafe bis zu drei Jahren. ...

... INFO:

Der unvorsichtige Umgang mit Feuerwerk kann als fahrlässige Körperverletzung eingestuft und mit Geldstrafe oder Freiheitsstrafe bis zu drei Jahren geahndet werden.

Werden Feuerwerkskörper gezielt gegen Menschen gerichtet, etwa um Passanten zu erschrecken, kann dies – je nach Grad der verursachten Verletzungen – als (vorsätzliche) gefährliche oder schwere Körperverletzung mit einer Freiheitsstrafe bis zu zehn Jahren gewertet werden.

http://www.berlin.de/SenJust/Strafverfolgung/presse/archiv/20041228.23462.html

Polizei entdeckt Sprengstofflabor in Wohnung

Herne-Horsthausen (Nordrhein-Westfalen)/Deutschland. Die Polizei entdeckte in einer Wohnung ein umfangreiches Labor zur Herstellung von Sprengstoff. Wie die Behörde mitteilte, wurden waschkörbeweise Feuerwerkskörper ... gefunden. 6.10.2004

http://www.netzeitung.de/deutschland/308184.html

USA: Zukünftiger Bio-Student bindet Kaninchen an Feuerwerkskörper

Castro Valley, Kalifornien. Zwei Männer (18 und 20) aus Kalifornien werden der Gewalt gegen Tiere angeklagt, da sie am 13. Juli ein Kaninchen an einen illegalen Feuerwerkskörper banden und in einen See warfen. Der Feuerwerkskörper explodierte jedoch nicht.

Bekannt wurde die Tat, da Fotos der Aktion auf einer privaten Homepage veröffentlicht wurden, die von 'House Rabbit Society' gesehen wurden.

Sigmon, der Besitzer des Tieres, hatte den Hasen adoptiert, nachdem er ihn fast überfahren hätte. Da er im Herbst sein Biologie-Studium (!) aufnimmt, kann er nun nicht länger für das Tier sorgen. 2.8.2004

http://shortnews.stern.de/start.cfm?overview=1&id=530519&newsid=7&rubrik1=Alles&rubrik2=Alles&rubrik3=Alles&sort=3&start=1&suche=feuerwerksk%F6rper&nps=15&zeitrum=999&sparte=4&rubrikid1=234

100 Kilo Feuerwerk in der Wohnung

Berlin/Deutschland. Ueber 100 kg Feuerwerkskörper stellte die Polizei am Mittwoch in der Wohnung einer Frau an der Soorstrasse in Charlottenburg sicher. Es handele sich nicht um Silvesterfeuerwerk sondern um Pyrotechnik für professionelle Grossfeuerwerke. Gegen die Frau sowie weitere Beteiligte laufe bereits ein Verfahren wegen Verstosses gegen das Sprengstoffgesetz. 19.12.2003

http://archiv.tagesspiegel.de/archiv/19.12.2003/898426.asp

Unfall bei der 1.-August-Feier

Schweiz. Bei einer öffentlichen 1.-August-Feier am 31.7.2002 in Hagenwil bei Amriswil/Kanton Thurgau, brannte ein Mann (47) Feuerwerk ab. Eine Rakete hatte sich aus der Halterung gelöst und zwei Feuerkugeln gingen ebenerdig ab; wobei eine von beiden in Richtung Publikum schoss. Vier Kinder und zwei Erwachsene wurden zum Teil schwer verletzt.

Das Gericht sprach den Mann der fahrlässigen Körperverletzung und der fahrlässigen Gefährdung durch Sprengstoff schuldig. Er bekam eine Busse von 2500 Franken auferlegt sowie die Untersuchungs- und Gerichtskosten von 2400 Franken und hat eine Entschädigung von 1000 Franken an die Anwaltskosten der Geschädigten zu leisten.

Quelle: "Folgenschwere 'Fiesta Grande'", 8.7.2003

http://www.thurgauerzeitung.ch/default2.cfm?vDest=vtArtikel&id=140691&b1=Feuerwerk&o1=OR&b2=Feuerwerksk%F6rper&o2=&b3=&re=&ra=VOR&da=10%2E08%2E2006&startrow=141

Fahrlässiger Umgang mit Rakete

Rorschach/Schweiz. Am 28.7.2000 steckte ein Mann (35) eine Rakete in eine Blumenrabatte und, obwohl Kinder und Erwachsene vorbeigingen und auf der Strasse Autoverkehr herrschte, zündete er sie. Da sie fest in der Erde steckte, konnte sie nicht abheben, explodierte am Boden, zischte in Fenster- und Türscheiben eines Ladengeschäfts. Sachschaden: mehrere Tausend Franken.

Der Geschäftsinhaber und der Besitzer einer Nachbarliegenschaft reichten Klage wegen Sachbeschädigung ein.

Die Einzelrichterin des Bezirksgerichts Rorschach verurteilte ihn Juni 2001 wegen Verstosses gegen das Feuerschutzgesetzes und "mutwilliger Gefährdung" zu einer Busse von 800 Franken.

Quelle: "Fahrlässiger Umgang mit Rakete", 6.6.2001, http://www.tagblatt.ch/index.php?archivsuche=531859&jahr=2001&seite=3&ressortcode=tb-ot&ressort=tagblattheute/stgallen/rorschach&ms=hauptseite

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