This is Worcestershire 30 December 2000: IT'S PEACE IN OUR TIME: Firework man will be quiet
FIREWORK-mad Paul Read has promised to give his neighbours a happy - and quiet - start to the New Year after sparking months of complaints by setting off rockets.   Mr Read, who in the past joked he would not stop letting off fireworks until he split the atom, says he has finally given in to complaints from fed-up residents.  The father-of-two fuelled rows with his neighbours at his former home in Bransford Road, St John's, when it was claimed he crept into their gardens to indulge his love of pyrotechnics at all hours of the day and night.  He gave them a Christmas to remember last year when he set off a 25 Air Bomb Repeater - claiming he was aiming at Santa for being late with his presents.  Mr Read, who has moved into Arrowsmith Avenue, St John's, marked Christmas Day this time round with another 3am explosion.  One of his angry neighbours, 68-year-old Bill Toorish, said he was "sick to death" of the bangs.  "He has let off fireworks day and night since he moved in eight months ago," said Mr Toorish.  "Students in the area say he makes their computers jump and the explosions upset people's dogs.  "I have high blood pressure and this is doing me no good."  Several complaints have been made to Worcester City Council's environmental health department, a spokesman confirmed.  Mr Read says he has admitted defeat - even with New Year's Eve in sight.  "I've received complaints which cost me two jobs," said Mr Read, who runs Ultimate Block Paving from his home. "There won't be any fireworks going off from my house this New Year's Eve."  But Mr Toorish said he thought Mr Read was incapable of giving up his pyrotechnics.  "There'd be more chance of winning the Lottery than him keeping his word on this," he added.

This is Worcestershire 19 December 2000: Ban bangers for pets' sake
WE recently had a Christmas bargain leaflet pushed through our door from a major superstore and could not believe that among the items, they were offering fireworks!  Is it not time the law was reviewed regarding the sale of fireworks?  We own a four-year-old border collie who has and still is suffering terribly the last few weeks because of them being let off virtually every night in the streets around our home - they were actually on sale locally since early October.  We can accept we will have problems around November 5 and can prepare for that but it just seems to go on and on.  Our dog is petrified and will not go out and if he is out, he is uncontrollable if a firework goes off.  We feel fireworks should be banned from general use other than November 5 and only available otherwise for organised displays.  We know of several animal lovers whose pets suffer the same way.  Animal Lover

This is Lancashire  29 November 2000: Firework victim ignored warnings
FRIENDS pleaded with teenager Paul Ridge not to return to the large Chinese-made firework which killed him, an inquest heard.  The tube-launched explosive, which should have soared 500 ft into the air, failed to ignite on land at Duke Bar, Burnley, when 18-year-old Paul tried to light it around 1am on October 18, the hearing was told.
He agreed to not to return, but minutes later they heard a bang and sparks lit up nearby Colne Road.   Paul, of Pembroke Street, was found dead with massive head wounds on the land near the Duke of York pub, by a man walking his dog two hours later.
Home Office pathologist Dr William Lawlor, who carried out the post mortem examination, said there was no doubt Paul died from a blast injury and there was nothing to suggest any other person was involved.   Dr Lawlor said Paul, who had consumed little drink and no drugs, was still clutching a lighter in his right hand.
The Inquest heard of events leading up to the death of the teenager, who earlier in the evening had been with his mother to see Burnley's 1-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday at Turf Moor.
Duke of York licensee Marie Coulston said she returned to the pub after a night out and Paul was one of a group talking about fireworks. Her partner Stephen Brown said around two weeks earlier a man with a van who he had never seen before or since and known only as John, had come to the pub offering to sell fireworks. He bought a quantity and was also given two of the onion-shaped explosives.
On the fatal evening, friend Stephen Baker had produced the launch tube made of plastic drainpipe and Mr Brown and customer Roger Idden took one of the fireworks to open land and successfully fired it, the inquest heard.
Mr Brown said after Marie's return it was suggested they should light the second firework but as Paul dug the hole for the launch tube, a police car came around the corner "and everyone scarpered."
Sean McParland, of Colne Road, whose home overlooks the Duke of York, said Paul and Roger Idden came to his house after 12.30 am. "They were laughing and joking and said they had been chased by police after trying to set off a firework.
"Paul said he was going back to get it and her returned with the firework and drainpipe."
Mr McParland said his girlfriend Julie Sutcliffe went with Paul and Roger to lignite it but returned five minutes later and said it had not gone off. He and Julie had told Paul not to go back to it and he agreed he wouldn't, said Mr McParland. Julie told the inquest that about five minutes after Paul and Roger had left, she heard a loud bang and saw showers of sparks over Colne Road.
Roger Idden, of Robinson Street said Paul lit the 2ft 6 in wick in drizzling conditions and it failed to ignite. "I said leave it. It is dangerous. It is getting late -- just leave it. I am going home."
Mr Idden said he heard a large bang as he approached his home. I definitely was not there when the firework went off," he told coroner David Smith.
Recording a verdict of accidental death, Mr Smith described the events as "a terrible tragedy."

This is Bradford  23 November 2000: Arson attack wrecks junior sports club
An arson attack has left an Otley social club gutted and its members devastated.
About half of the Weston Lane Junior Sports and Social Club was destroyed in the fire and although firefighters stopped the flames spreading along the 30-foot long building, thousands of pounds worth of sports equipment stored there has been destroyed.
Despite the devastation, the club, based at the Weston Lane playing fields in Otley, has vowed to fight on.
In a statement issued by the club, member Chris Lawson said: "The fire has left members and the surrounding community devastated. Although the outer shell of the building looks to be intact, the inner rooms are just a charred mess.
"A substantial amount of equipment including six sets of new soccer goals at £150 each set are a total write-off.
"Our immediate priority is to make sure that children in the area keep enjoying their sport - and the good neighbourliness of Otley Town and Ilkley Juniors has led to them offering sets of goals so we can continue to honour our fixtures.
"In the long term, we are taking a positive view to make sure the Weston estate keeps its junior club and continues to be the club that many visitors have respected for the past four decades.
"We are very grateful to all who alerted the fire service and tried to contact club officials - thank goodness no-one was hurt."
An emergency meeting was held at Otley Social Club this week, but any further action about the future of the building will have to wait until the insurers have had their say.
Eye-witness Joan Birkett said: "There was smoke billowing out of the eaves and blowing down towards The Oval, but I only saw flames once.
"The firemen were entering the building with breathing apparatus on, pulling out a lot of debris - it was devastating."
Town councillor John Eveleigh, whose son Chris plays for one of the club's teams, added: "It is a devastating blow. Hundreds of kids used it during the week and it was a real focal point for the community."
A spokesman for the fire service said: "We found a window had been broken and the fire looked as if it could have started there."
He said something could have been thrown through the window - possibly a firework - before the blaze took hold."
Police and the fire service have both appealed for witnesses to come forward to the incident, which happened on Saturday at about 6.45pm.
Anyone with information should contact Weetwood Police on (0113) 241 3514.

This is The Lake District 17 November 2000: Fireworks fury
A 'SPUR of the moment' decision to light a firework landed a Kendal businessman in hot water this week. The firework was ignited during a conference weekend at Kendal's Castle Green Hotel - which last year promised there would be no more unscheduled firework displays after local residents complained about the noise. But in the early hours of Sunday morning a firework was lit by delegates at a conference of the Builders' Merchants Federation (North West region).  Although the firework had a single taper, it triggered off the whole box, resulting in a burst of unstoppable explosions which woke nearby residents at 2.50 on Sunday morning.
The unexpected display also embarrassed the hotel, which knew nothing about the fireworks. "Once it was lit there was just nothing we could do," said Andrew Broomby, chairman of the North West Builders' Merchants Federation.  "We just stood there horrified. With hindsight we shouldn't have lit anything but the box looked so innocuous."
Mr Broomby has placed a notice in today's Westmorland Gazette apologising to local residents and the hotel, on behalf of the BMF delegates. He emphasised that the hotel knew nothing about the fireworks. General manager of the Castle Green Hotel, Tim Rumney, said they had received several complaints about the firework noise from local residents, but that people had understood when the situation was explained. "Given what has happened in the past, I was horrified when I heard the fireworks go off," said Mr Rumney. "But I very much welcome the chairman's apology. We are still very happy to deal with the BMF delegates."
Mystery surrounds other incidents involving fireworks in the Windermere-Ambleside area in the early hours of Friday, Saturday and Sunday, when residents were woken by loud explosions. "There was a burst of really loud bangs followed by rockets," said Ecclerigg resident Ann Clarke.  "It seemed to come from directly overhead. It woke everyone up." Ambleside resident Robin Martakies also heard the explosions. "How inconsiderate can people be?" he asked. "It's only common sense and good citizenship not to let off fireworks like that. I can't believe that people would do it at that time of night."
South Lakeland District Council's environmental health department has received a complaint about the fireworks and confirmed yesterday they were investigating. After previous incidents involving unscheduled firework displays, local hotels were asked not to let off fireworks after 10pm.

This is The Lake District 13 November 2000: Fireworks: where is the logic?
Sir, Are the British crazy? Do we no longer believe in common sense and respect for others? Surely not and yet we teach our children that they can 'trick and treat', in other words that they can cause malicious damage if not given a 'treat'. And we allow our youngsters large sums of money to buy fireworks so that for at least three or four days they can create bedlam (and noise that sounds like gunfire); this causes distress to the sick, elderly and our animals. It is wonderful to celebrate with great firework displays in organised ways on special occasions. This is not what we are teaching our youngsters in the new millennium. Instead, we are still clinging to pagan and barbaric practices. N J. Kendal

This is Wiltshire 9 November 2000: Fireworks spark cattle stampede
HOUSEHOLDERS David and Patricia Bowen-Jones are demanding thousands of pounds in compensation after rampaging cattle stampeded through their garden when they were frightened by fireworks. Ten terrified bullocks burst from their farm enclosure and stampeded a mile and a half down the A4 after fireworks exploded in the sky above them during two displays near Corsham.
A massive explosion was heard as far away as Lacock, and the frightened bullocks broke out from a pen at Home Farm at Hartham and charged off down Hartham Lane and onto the A4.  Displays were being held at nearby Hartham Park and at Briarwood House.  They pushed through the gate at Mr and Mrs Bowen-Jones' home at The Lodge, squeezed past a car parked in the drive and careered about the garden, smashing pots and breaking an old sewing machine used as a garden ornament.  One of the cows barged through a hedge surrounding the outdoor pool, climbed up a step and plunged into the pool, breaking a solar cover.  Neighbours Neil and Anita Munn heard terrified cries as the animal thrashed about in the pool.  "Anita ran out into the road in her bare feet trying to find out what had happened," said Mr Bowen-Jones. He and his wife were on holiday in Majorca at the time of the incident.
Mrs Munn called the emergency services and jumped into the pool to hold the cow's head above the water. A fire engine from Corsham, a support vehicle, a vet and ten firefighters rushed to help. Farmers Paul Gregory, from Easton Farm, and Bill Taylor from Hartham Farm also came to help out.  Generators were set up to provide light, straw bales were thrown into the pool and firefighters used slings to heave the cow out of the water. "We had three men in the pool," said Corsham sub officer Mark Unwin.
The rescued cow was given a clean bill of health and firefighters helped owner Stan Jones herd the animals back to a field at around 5am.  Mr Jones said: "They pushed out through a feed barrier," he said.  Mr Bowen-Jones believes the damage amounted to about £4,000. His legal advisor has suggested he seek punitive damages from the organisers of the firework displays.  "If we are unable to claim on Mr Jones' insurance we will be looking to them for the costs," he said.  Mr Bowen-Jones has collected 30 signatures on a petition to North Wiltshire District Council asking for a by-law to limit explosive fireworks to November 5.
Dr Andrew Stainthorpe, Briarwoord House, said: "I'm sure lots of events took place and our fireworks may or may not have contributed to the incident."  No one at Hartham Park was willing to comment yesterday.

This is Buckinghamshire   8 November 2000: Firework terror for farm animals
WORRIED pensioner George Tepper has called for restrictions on the sale of fireworks after explosions on Guy Fawkes night left animals on his land cowering in terror.
Mr Tepper says he was forced to bring his two sheepdogs indoors from their outside kennels to protect them from deafening noises over weekend.
The 81-year-old also claims on Monday morning he found the remnants of large-sized rockets sticking up from the ground around his 30-acre property where sheep graze.
Mr Tepper, of Ashmore Farm, Haw Lane, Bledlow Ridge, explained: "The fireworks I found were embedded a couple of inches in the ground. They are large and are very, very dangerous. God knows what would happen if they hit an animal or person - they would cause real damage.
"You expect a certain amount of fireworks around November 5 but people were letting them off in the middle of the night and they've landed in the field. There are horses, sheep and other livestock which were absolutely terrified. In the morning I found the sheep huddled together in the corner of the field - they'd had quite a fright."
Mr Tepper, who competes with his dogs in sheepdog trials, added: "These fireworks make terrible crashing and banging. My dogs have very sensitive hearing because they are trained to listen to a whistle."
Mr Tepper, a retired businessman who has lived in Bledlow Ridge for more than 20 years, believes restrictions on the sale of powerful fireworks to the general public should be introduced.
He explained: "People have always had a few fireworks on bonfire night but some of the ones I found were about 2ft long and partly made of metal."
A spokesman for the Department of Trade and Industry said legislation was already in place to stop people buying some larger fireworks for private use.
She added: "Fireworks are an obvious form of family entertainment. We don't think there is a case for a total ban on retail fireworks. We believe a complete ban could cause a black-market in fireworks."

This is Wiltshire 7 November 2000: Rocket blast leaves pensioners reeling
Pensioners Herbert and Edith May were terrified when a firework crashed into the wall of their house during bonfire night celebrations.  The couple, who live in Churchward Avenue, Swindon, had just gone to bed on the eve of Guy Fawkes' night when they were awoken by the firework.  Mr Herbert, 83, said: "We were both really shocked by the noise. "It was sometime after 11pm and we were falling asleep when we heard a really loud bang outside and we jumped out of our beds."
On Sunday morning Mr May went out to the garden to discover what had made the noise and found a spent rocket in his garden, which had scorched a large part of the outside wall.  Mr May said: "It could easily have gone through a window and really hurt someone."

This is York 6 November 2000: Blazing firework destroys shed
AS mother-of-two Susan Botterill served up a curry at her York home, something far hotter was hurtling towards the house intent on devastation.  Susan watched in horror through her kitchen window as a ball of flame came screaming out of the night sky and scored a direct hit on the garden shed.  A blaze quickly took hold among the paint and creosote tins kept in the shed and left behind a charred trail of destruction. The fire, thought to have been sparked by a stray firework, destroyed the shed, which contained the family's bicycles and other items, wrecked two wooden fences and melted and cracked three windows and the back door. Susan called in firefighters and she, husband Paul, son Lee, 12, nephew Michael, and family dog, Monty fled the house in Hamilton Drive East.
She said: "It was just unbelievable. This ball of flame shot out of the sky and went straight into the shed. I don't know what sort of firework it was or where it came from, but it must have been big. It just seems to have been a horrible accident." She hopes her misfortune will help to remind people how dangerous fireworks can be.

This is Cheshire  1 November 2000: Firework plea
I AM writing about the fireworks that are going off, yet again, two weeks early.
Don't the people who buy them for young teenagers and kids have any decency or morals? How many kids are going to injure themselves because of the fireworks that you have bought for them? To the parents of the kids with them, haven't you taught them what's right and wrong, and playing with fireworks is most definitely wrong.
Last year I watched while four teenagers threw fireworks at each other. My aim is that the government ban selling fireworks to the public and have them on sale only to organisers of displays. This needn't be the case if people treat them properly. I hope it's not your child that is badly hurt this year. Think of that when you buy fireworks for them or for anyone else's children. A L.

This is Bradford  27 October 2000: Traders are blasted over firework sale
Traders in Bradford are being warned after three shops in the city illegally sold fireworks to children in a trading standards swoop.
And the city's shopkeepers were found to be the worst offenders in West Yorkshire when officers carried out the undercover operation.
Volunteers aged 12 to 14 attempted to buy fireworks from 13 shops, of which three retailers carried out an illegal sale.
Last year no sales were detected in a similar operation.
Paul Cooper, West Yorkshire Trading Standards divisional manager, said: "Bradford was the worst of the five authorities in West Yorkshire and we will be carrying out further investigations in the city.
"We are extremely disappointed that the early messages have been disregarded.
"Not only are they breaking the law, but they appear to have no morals in selling explosives to children.
"Traders must not sell fireworks to anyone who is under 18 - it's against the law."
He said if a retailer had doubts about the age of a customer he should ask for ID.
And he warned that traders could find themselves being prosecuted and fined up to £5,000 if found guilty.
"It is innocent citizens, especially children, who we are trying to protect," added Mr Cooper.
"Last year, the number of firework-related accidents shot up by 20 per cent and of those half of them were children."
Councillor Peter Lancaster (Labour, Eccleshill), a member of West Yorkshire Trading Standards Committee, said the results were very disappointing.
"It's very sad and I feel that shops should only be allowed to sell fireworks for a couple of days before an event like Bonfire Night," he said.
A total of 125 shops were visited across West Yorkshire last weekend of which ten per cent sold to under-age `test purchasers'.
Calderdale was found to be the most law-abiding and none of the traders visited made illegal sales.
Anyone who has any information about under-age sales can contact the Trading Standards consumer helpline on (0113) 384 8848

This is Bradford 24 October 2000: Firework terror for frightened animals
Animal workers are preparing for a busy fortnight in Bradford as they face a burgeoning number of firework-related incidents.
The bonfire night celebrations will see many domestic pets fleeing from their homes, startled by rockets, bangers and airbombs.
And others may become seriously injured in what has been described as the "indiscriminate" use of fireworks.
One Eldwick animal lover, Marlene Wilson, said her dog was injured when it bolted from a stray pyrotechnic close to her home.
She said Matt, her border collie sheepdog, had been in the garden when the accident occurred.
Mrs Wilson, 62, from Otley Road, said: "A firework was let off in the neighbouring field startled him. He turned and ran off and somehow broke his leg."
She said: "He was in so much pain and has had to go back to the vet three times since."
Even though the plaster has now been removed, the dog has been left in great discomfort, she said.
"It has also cost around £750 in vets' bills so far," said Mrs Wilson. "I just wish that people would not fireworks off at all times and all over the place -- they should stick to proper displays."
Terry Singh, head of Bradford Council's Dog and Animal Warden Services, said: "We certainly do have a rise in the number of lost animals reported over this time.
"It is no longer just November 5 when they are let off, it is weeks before and even afterwards. This indiscriminate use means owners have to take preventative measures to keep their animals safe."
Last year, an Alsatian which had bolted from a firework ended up on the roof of terraced houses and needed rescuing by firefighters, said Mr Singh.
He added: "Another jumped on a bus in Leeds and ended up at Bradford Interchange."
"We would urge that animals are not left outside unaccompanied, even for a split second. They can end up lost and traumatised which can be very upsetting for the owner involved."
Mr Singh added that tags with addresses should also be fitted so that, if a pet was lost, it could be returned.

This is Bradford  20 October 2000: Crackdown on firework sales
Bonfire night is fast approaching and set to go with a bang, but retailers in the Keighley area are being warned of a crackdown on people who sell fireworks to under 18s.
Firework sales officially started on Sunday and the West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service has warned that retailers found selling fireworks to anyone under the age of 18 will face penalties of a £5,000 fine, or six months imprisonment, or both.
Keighley fire service will be carrying out thorough checks on retailers applying for licences this year and inspecting those who obtained a licence last year.
West Yorkshire chief trading standards officer Martin Wood said: "Last year, Bonfire Night injuries from fireworks rose from 831 in 1998 to 1,056, an increase of 21 per cent."
Trading standards officers will be using children to make test purchases at premises where there is a suspicion of underage sales.
Cllr Graham Clarke, chairman of the trading standards committee said: "The message we are trying to get through is `children and fireworks don't mix. Fireworks can have serious and long-lasting consequences'."
"I am pleased to say that most retailers seem to be complying with the law, refusing to sell fireworks to children. However, for whatever reason, some shopkeepers continue to sell to under 18s. This is very disappointing considering that every year at least 50 per cent of injuries involve children."

BBC News 18 October, 2000, Youth killed by fireworks
A teenager has died after a giant firework exploded in his face.
The body of Paul Ridge was found on land next a pub in Burnley, Lancashire.
His death is the first related to fireworks since 1996. The tragedy happened at about 03.25 BST on Wednesday morning.
Police believe the 18-year-old may have gone up to the firework after it failed to light. The device then exploded in his face, causing fatal head injuries.
The accident happened three weeks before the traditional firework celebrations of Guy Fawkes night.
Fireworks warning
It also occurred one day after local fire service and Lancashire trading standards officers launched a campaign warning of the risks from fireworks.   They were forced to act after two similar incidents in the Burnley area where a Ford Fiesta car and a phone box were blown apart by exploding fireworks in the last week.  It is believed the fireworks may not have been commercially available.
David Brown, the deputy chief officer at Lancashire Trading Standards, said: "It sounds to us as if a rogue batch of fireworks which were not meant for public sale has found its way on to the streets."   Det Supt Graham Gooch of Lancashire Police said: "This is a tragic waste of a young life and it brings home the need to be so careful particularly with this type of high explosive which has to be fired from a tube.  "It is ironic that this should have happened only hours after the county's Trading Standards Officer and our colleagues from the fire service issued a warning about the dangers of these devices."
Almost 830 people in Britain, including a London boy who lost his hand, were treated in hospital for firework injuries in 1998, the last year for which statistics are available.
The government has run a fireworks safety campaign every year since 1996, when two adults and a child were killed and more than 1,200 people injured as a result of exploding fireworks.

This is Bradford   18 October 2000: Campaign to cut firework injuries
Bradford fire chiefs have launched a campaign to cut the number of firework injuries caused during the bonfire season.
As fireworks go on sale around the district in the build up to bonfire night, West Yorkshire Fire Service has unveiled guidelines which it hopes will keep more youngsters safe at Guy Fawkes parties.
West Yorkshire Fire Service Assistant Divisional Officer Brian Robson said that the fire service had teamed up with police to crack down on shopkeepers who sell fireworks to children under the age of 18.
He said: "The law is quite clear that it's illegal to sell fireworks to anyone under the age of 18 and should only be sold to adults.
"The message we are trying to get across to people now is not to build your bonfires too early, not to build them too high, and not to build them too close to domestic properties.
"As far as the fire service is concerned, we only see the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the problems caused by bonfire night.
"A lot of people get taken straight to hospital with their injuries.
"We would plead with parents to supervise their children and make sure they know where they are in the evening and stop them setting off fireworks."
The advice follows a 20 per cent increase in firework-related injuries across the UK in 1999.
In West Yorkshire 72 people were injured with 21 of these being taken to Bradford hospitals needing treatment.
This was an increase on the 1998 figures when 13 people were admitted to Bradford hospitals.
Three people received treatment at Airedale General Hospital in 1999 compared to only one in 1998.
However a Fire Service spokesman said it was hoped that 1999 was an exceptional year with high numbers of firework-related injuries caused by millennium celebrations.
Assistant Divisional Officer Robson hopes that the guidelines will help to avoid incidents such as when 11-year-old Luke Marsay, of Thorpe Edge, suffered burns to his eyes after youths hurled a canister in a bonfire near where he was standing in 1998.
Luke was rushed to Bradford Royal Infirmary where it was feared he had been blinded. Fortunately he made a full recovery.
In another incident 14-year-old Naheem Ali, of Girlington, suffered a severe hand injury when a fire work he was holding went off in his hand.

This is Cheshire  18 October 2000: DOCTOR Day is one of the most caring of people (last week's letters).
He was afraid that someone would be badly hurt and so risked trying to remove the lit firework at the penny farthing event.
He paid the price, but probably saved someone from a very serious injury.  He is far from being stupid. In fact he is one of the most wise and helpful, much-loved and respected members of our Chelford community.  He admitted that what he did was risky.
But the fact that he was prepared to take the risk on behalf of others is the measure of a noble character.  C B  Chelford

This is Lancashire 18 October 2000: Youth 'killed by firework'
A TEENAGER has died after a firework exploded in his face -- prompting an urgent warning about highly explosive devices believed to be responsible for a series of incidents throughout East Lancashire.
The death comes a day after Trading Standards officers and fire chiefs issued a warning about the dangers of highly explosive fireworks.
Police are investigating links between the death and an incident when a firework blew apart a Ford Fiesta car in Windermere Avenue, Huncoat, on Monday night and another when a telephone kiosk in Dill Hall Lane, Church, was blown up by a firework on Saturday night.
Today a road between Briercliffe Road and Colne Road, Duke Bar, Burnley, between the Duke of York pub and St Andrew's Church was cordoned off after the body of a man was discovered at 3.25 am.
The dead youth is an 18-year-old from Burnley but police have not released his name because relatives have still to be informed.
Trading Standards officers are investigating the possibility that the fireworks, which may have been imported for professional displays only, are part of an unsafe rogue batch and how they were made available to the public.
Det Supt Graham Gooch said: "This is a tragic waste of a young life and it brings home the need to be so careful particularly with this type of high explosive which has to be fired from a tube. "It is ironic that this should have happened only hours after the county's Trading Standards Officer and our colleagues from the fire service issued a warning about the dangers of these devices. I can only repeat that warning that this kind of firework is lethal as we have so tragically discovered here in Burnley today."
Police said it is understood the Burnley youth had set one of the large incendiary devices off and was examining a second which had failed to explode when it went off in his face.
David Brown, the deputy chief officer at Lancashire Trading Standards, said: "It sounds to us as if a rogue batch of fireworks which were not meant for public sale has found its way on to the streets.
"We are launching an immediate inquiry, working with police, to find out where they came from and why they are being sold to the public.
"Tragically, this fatality proves just how dangerous fireworks can be, especially when people are using more complex ones which should not be available to the public."
He added: "In cases where fireworks have been sold incorrectly, we often find that the people involved are selling out of the backs of vans or at shops not registered with us.
"People should only buy them from shops which are licensed to sell them."
A gang of youths are believed to be behind the incident in Huncoat, which followed a weekend of problems with fireworks, including cases of fireworks being pushed through shutters, letterboxes and post-boxes.
Despite the fact fireworks only legally went on sale last week, the Fire Service across East Lancashire has been inundated with calls about the malicious of use of what is supposed to be a restricted-sale item.

This is Bradford 17 October 2000: Yobs hurl stones at fire crew
Firefighters were forced to abandon a blaze in a field after coming under attack from yobs hurling stones and a firework last night.
Fairweather Green's Blue Watch crew came under attack twice after being called out to a bonfire around Saffron Drive and Bell Dean Road in Allerton, Bradford.
The second time firefighters went back to the same fire, they called for back-up from colleagues in Bradford but after both crews again came under attack, retreated to the station.
Sub-officer Howard Jones, of the Fairweather Green station, said: "The first time a group of around a dozen lads, probably between 12 and 14-years-old, were standing round a bonfire and chucked a few stones at us.
"We decided to stay in our engine but after a while, as the fire was not causing any danger to life or property, decided to return to the station.
"When we were called back to the fire for a second time we decided to bring in back-up from the Bradford station and also called the police.
"This time they hurled a firework as well as more stones. We stayed on the scene until Bradford arrived but then, as the fire was still not causing any danger, went back to the station.
"Unfortunately, at this time of year we get a lot of calls to bonfires and come under attack."

This is Bradford  17 October 2000: Traders face a legal rocket on fireworks
Shopkeepers are being warned they face being prosecuted and even sued if they break the law by selling fireworks to youngsters.
Police officers in the Eccleshill division, which includes Shipley and Baildon, are paying personal visits to dozens of stores which sell fireworks to remind retailers of the law and their responsibilities.
Each will be handed a letter from Inspector Nigel Cawthorne, who said: "The main thing is that retailers must not sell fireworks to anyone who's under 18.
"The age limit was 16 until about three years ago but is now 18.
"The maximum penalty for those who break the law is six months in prison but the letter also points out there's a strong possibility that if fireworks are sold to someone under 18 and somebody then gets injured by them the retailer may be liable under civil law.
"The law says it's an offence to supply fireworks to anyone under 18 so someone could also be committing an offence by buying them for someone who's under-age.
"Retailers will also be given a description of the fireworks they can and can't sell - those they can't include bangers.''
Inspector Cawthorne added: "Historically during the two or three- week period leading up to Bonfire Night a lot of distress is caused to the general public - particularly vulnerable people such as the elderly - by the indiscriminate use of fireworks, almost exclusively by people under 18.
"What we're doing here is asking retailers to help us make it a safe and happy run-up to November 5.
"We'd ask any members of the public who suspect a shop is selling fireworks to their children or anyone else under age to contact us.
"We'll then either take our own action or work with West Yorkshire Trading Standards ,who'll do a test purchase.''
Trading Standards spokesman Graham Hebblethwaite welcomed the Eccleshill initiative, adding: "We'll be following any complaints up and also carrying out test purchases at shops throughout West Yorkshire - using children who are obviously under-age - to make sure local traders are complying with the law.
"Evidence shows that young people suffer more than others from injuries caused by fireworks so the legislation prohibiting their sale to children needs to be enforced.
"Accidents can have such horrific consequences and we need to keep them as far away as possible from the hands of irresponsible or inexperienced young people.''
Fellow Trading Standards officer David Lodge added: "Retailers do have a duty of care and could quite easily be sued if a child was injured by a firework sold to somebody under-age.''

This is Bradford  9 October 2000: Outdated firework laws must change
A campaigning mum from Bradford is setting out to re-write Britain's firework laws in a bid to save lives.
Elizabeth Hellmich says her safety drive has already won backing from the police, fire and ambulance services, and the support of politicians, Trading Standards officers and firework manufacturers. She is now circulating a petition to poll the opinions of Bradford people on the subject.
Ms Hellmich, from Parkside Grove, Manningham, believes licences should be issued to anyone buying fireworks - requiring them to undergo a basic safety course. And new anti-nuisance laws would ensure they were not set off late at night.
Ms Hellmich's concerns over the fireworks arose while she was chairman of Lawcroft's Neighbourhood Watch scheme a year ago.
She said: "Initially, it appeared that the problem was isolated to certain areas of Bradford around Plot Night. But, after speaking with people in other areas, it was clear this was far more widespread."
She went on to contact Neighbourhood Watch groups across the country, as well as every major police station in England.
"The message I got back from many of them was the same - lots of areas had problems with fireworks, and residents wanted action taken."
Spurred on by the response, Ms Hellmich has since met Bradford Police to discuss the best way forward.
"I have also spoken with the city's MPs and got a promising response."
She is now calling on people across the district to contact their own politician in a show of strength.
"At the moment the police do not have the power to tackle problems with fireworks, and the only way this can be done is through going to Parliament and changing the outdated laws which go back to 1760," she said.
"I am a mother, foster mother and child-minder, so children's safety is something I obviously feel strongly about. These things are not penny bangers any more - many are like powerful military explosives and can easily be lethal in the wrong hands."
Sgt Roy Wensley, of Toller Lane Police, said: "Ms Hellmich represents the feeling of the community and we are certainly behind her. The only effective way to control this is through the point of sale of fireworks - by ensuring that there was some kind of training involved before people were handed them."
He said although advice was already available for those organising displays, it was up to the individual whether they took it. "It requires a change in law to properly enforce this and we will be behind Ms Hellmich if she approaches the MPs seeking this."

This is Cheshire  4 October 2000: How stupid for a man to go back to a lit firework (last week's Knutsford Guardian).
We always tell children not to do this so a grown man should have known better.
At least it serves as a warning to children.
ASH COURT RESIDENT

This is The Wirral 4 October 2000: We must restrict sale of fireworks
I NOTICED the 'timely' letter regarding fireworks in this week's Globe and felt I should respond. I also think that this fireworks business is an annual scourge. It represents something which is imposed on the individual, whether or not he/she wants it. It is therefore a breach of the individual's freedom, where he/she has a right to 'enjoy the peace and quiet of the environment they live in'.
As you mention, it can also affect defenceless animals and in certain circumstances cause difficulties to vulnerable human beings, potentially causing the strong possibility of heart attacks and other psychological conditions in some individuals. While believing that others should not engage in these firework activities, in principle, I think that to be realistic, the best hope would be to try to curtail it. I suspect this might be best done through the Trading Standards Authority, but we are probably too late for it this year. However, what I would like to see is all shops prohibited from selling fireworks, except between October 30 and November 5, and again from December 28 to December 31. I especially totally disapprove of the common practice of shops selling fireworks at half price after November 5.
Tell me what training does the average assistant in a newsagent have regarding the sale of what amounts to gun powder? Training and licensing is needed for the legitimate sale of arms etc. Anybody having possession of any firearms must have a licence. It is true that a lot of this would be impracticable, in the case of fireworks, but I agree with you that we should not have to put up with all this 'aggro' for, typically, 13-15 weeks in each year.  I often wonder where the money is found for all these fireworks. I understand that each 'bang' now costs on average 30 to 40 pence!  K F  Rock Ferry.

This is The Wirral 29 September 2000: Let's end the firework scourge
ONCE again we are subjected to the familiar explosions of fireworks being set off by the brainless youths walking the streets at night.  Because of the upset it causes to pensioners and animals, plus sick people, I suggest we boycott any shop advertising fireworks and selling them up to the week before bonfire night.  Do we really need fireworks? Why not keep it to the organised displays? One shop actually advertised 'Bigger and Louder than ever before!' If any shop sells bangers it can be reported to the police. Bangers were banned last year.  I earnestly ask the public to support me on this campaign. P.A.S  Rock Ferry.

This is The Lake District 15 September 2000: Fireworks complaints
COMPLAINTS about late-night celebration firework displays prompted Windermere police to write to every hotel and guest house in the area, asking for advance warning of pyrotechnic displays. Sgt Ken Jewell told Windermere Parish Council that such information would help police to put people's minds at rest when they complained about disturbance from fireworks.

Stirling Observer 6 September 2000, Festival fireworks horror for Alastair.  EDINBURGH'S world famous fireworks extravaganza almost ended in serious injury for a Stirling man, Alastair Smith (27) was hit on the head by a large piece of unexploded rocket as he watched the firework finale at Edinburgh Castle on Saturday.  He was among a crowd of around 350 revellers who had gathered at the foot of Cambridge Street to watch the event when the incident took place.  He said: "The wind was blowing the fireworks over so they were exploding right above us. "As each piece of classical music came to an end there was more and more burning ash raining down on us.  "Then suddenly a guy behind me shouted "incoming", but it was too late.  "The piece of rocket hurtling towards me hit me on the forehead, bounced off me and hit my friend before hitting a car.  "It must have been travelling at some speed and the rocket it came from must have been huge. " Alastair still has the piece of rocket which is made of layers of cardboard, five inches square and a centimetre thick.
He added: "It caused some memory loss and a sore head the next day, but then again it could have been the eight pints I had to celebrate the end of the festival and to get over the shock!" "The next time I go to the fireworks I'll remember to take my crash helmet." An inquiry is to be launched into the firework display to find out what went wrong at the Bank of Scotland sponsored event, after an Edinburgh woman watching the event with her family was left temporarily blind in one eye by firework debris.
More than 175,000 people crammed into Princes Street and the surrounding area to watch the event which traditionally marks the end of the festival.
A Bank of Scotland spokeswoman said: "As sponsors of this very successful event we very much regret that accidents of this nature should occur." A spokeswoman for organisers at the Edinburgh International Festival said: "Every year there is a debrief after the event. Obviously in the light of this incident we will be paying particular attention to this area. Evidence is being gathered and findings will be presented to the safety committee for consideration."

This is Wiltshire 25 August 2000: Firework explodes in car
A GIRL was left with burns to her stomach after a firework was thrown through the sunroof of her father's car.  Jennie Amer, 12, narrowly escaped serious injuries when a firework exploded as she sat next to her dad in his Ford Mondeo on Tuesday, August 22.  The firework, which was more than four inches long, was hurled into the car's sunroof from the footbridge over County Way, as the car was stopped at traffic lights by Tesco, in Trowbridge.  Her father, Leigh, 41, from Trowbridge, who works as a printing manager in Westbury, recalled the moment he saw the firework enter the car and describes how he shouted out to protect his daughter.  He said: I noticed a red cylinder made of cardboard next to Jennie and I could see one end was glowing, and then I thought it must be a firework.  I called out for her and she leant towards the window. I tried to brush it off her seat but it exploded.  I asked if she was okay and with that, I quickly got out of the car and ran back along the road under the bridge to see if I could see anyone.  Jennie recalled seeing a young boy on the bridge just moments before the firework was thrown into the car.  She said: I saw a boy on the bridge who was wearing glasses and a grey Adidas T-shirt. He was looking at his pocket.  I did look down at the firework and it was red and burning. I looked away because I was really scared so I don't really remember the bang. Police investigating the incident have said the consequences could have been much worse if the car had been in motion or if the firework had fully exploded. 
PC Adrian Burt said: If it had exploded in their faces, it could have been much worse.  We have had problems with children playing on the bridge in the past and things have been thrown from the bridge.   The consequences of the children throwing the firework could have been more serious as the driver could have lost control.  Jennie's brother, Jack, 10, was also in the car when the firework went off.

This is Wiltshire 27 July 2000: Explosion victim's ordeal
EXPLOSION victim Robert Lamont has spoken for the first time about the New Year's Eve accident in Avebury which blew off most of his hand.  He has hit back at court claims that he was told how dangerous the home-made banger was by Andrew Potter, who manufactured the explosive in the kitchen of his Goddard Avenue home in Pewsey.  Mr Lamont, 39, who lives in Devizes, said he disputed much of the evidence put forward in mitigation when Potter, 36, appeared before a Swindon Crown Court judge.
He said that he had put one of the devices made by Potter in his pocket, and walked around the Red Lion pub.  Later, as he went to let the firework off, it exploded in his hand tearing off most of his fingers and thumb. The remains of his left hand, after reconstruction by surgeons, looks like a seal's flipper.   Mr Lamont had 18 hours of micro surgery. He can no longer work as a self-employed builder, and is undergoing psychiatric therapy for post traumatic stress disorder. Vision in one eye remains affected and he is partly deaf in one ear.
Potter admitted unlawfully making gunpowder. He was ordered to do 120 hours community service and pay £175 costs. He was not ordered to pay Mr Lamont compensation.  Potter said he had explained to Mr Lamont how dangerous the fireworks he had made to see in the Millennium at Avebury were. But Mr Lamont said he was given no indication.   The divorced father-of-three said Potter asked him to help stage his firework display. He helped him carry a box of fireworks and was walking away when Potter let one off. One of the fireworks, in a small plastic bottle, fell out and he put it in his pocket.
A friend later asked me if I was going to let it off. Andy had told me it had a five second fuse which you could light like an ordinary firework.  I lit the lighter and there was this almighty explosion and the next thing I knew my hand was in pieces.  Mr Lamont said: In a way my whole life as I knew it before has been blown away. In court Potter was described as some sort of knight in shining armour who does a lot of community work. All I can say is it would have been nice to at least have had a letter of apology from him.

The News & Advance 5, July  2000 - Fireworks accident calls permits into question
Campbell County officials aren't sure of the origin of an explosion that injured three people at a July 4th American Legion Post 16 fireworks display, but they do know the group didn't have a permit for the show.   About 10 minutes into the fireworks show at American Legion Lake on Greenview Drive Tuesday, one or more large fireworks exploded in the spectators section.
"There was a ground-level explosion, then multi-coloured explosions," Public Safety Director Mike Milnor said.
Three unidentified people, one child, a man and a woman, were treated for burns at Lynchburg General Hospital, Milnor said.
"We know very little about the victims," he said.   Investigators with the Sheriff's Department and Public Safety interviewed some of the 300 spectators, but different accounts of what seemed to cause the blast may make finding out what really happened impossible.  "Now the focus is on the permits," Milnor said.
Anyone displaying fireworks must apply for a permit 30 days prior to the display, showing they have at least $1 million in liability insurance and that the fireworks will be set off by someone certified in pyrotechnics.
No charges have been filed against Post 16, according to the Sheriff's Department.
Post 16 has hosted a fireworks display for more than 30 years, said American Legion member Emmett Burley.
"We've never used a license," he said.  Only two county groups applied for a permit to display fireworks this year, Milnor said.
Investigators are also looking into what caused the explosion.
"Were the injuries caused by the fireworks at the show or were they caused by fireworks brought by spectators?" asked Milnor. "We've got eyewitnesses that say a lot of different things."
The American Legion set off the fireworks display from the lip of the dam with the crowd watching from the banks of the lake.
Some witnesses have suggested a shell from the main show dropped into the crowd and exploded, Milnor said. Others said the explosion came from a bag of fireworks in the crowd.  Burley said he believes the explosion came from fireworks brought into the show.  Some witnesses have said someone lit a bag of fireworks with a sparkler, Burley said. Others suggested it was caused by a stray spark.  "Everyone seems to be adamant in their position," Burley said.   He said two uniformed Sheriff's deputies were at the fireworks display when the explosion occurred.  But officials from the Sheriff's Department said there were no officers on duty at the scene.

This is Wiltshire 7 June 2000: Homemade firework blew off man's fingers
Magistrates heard how a homemade firework built by former lab technician Andrew Potter exploded in his friend's hand.  Potter, 36, of Pewsey, pleaded guilty to unlawfully manufacturing and keeping gunpowder at his home in Goddard Road, a charge dating from The Explosives Act of 1875.  Kennet magistrates in Devizes were told how Potter had made several explosive devices at his home on December 31 for a fireworks display to celebrate the new year.  He and his friend, Robert Lamont of Devizes, took the devices in Mr Lamont's car to Avebury and they went to the Red Lion pub to meet friends.  Frank Murphy, prosecuting, said Potter had planned to hold the firework display at Silbury Hill but did not have consent from the National Trust so instead the pair went to nearby Waden Hill.  Mr Murphy said the devices contained a compound called HMTD.  One of the explosives was made from an old medicine bottle with powder and a fuse coming out of the top.  Mr Murphy said three devices were set off causing large explosions and a fourth was about to be discharged when they were disturbed by a member of the public. Mr Murphy said: Mr Lamont placed that fourth device in his pocket and returned to the Red Lion.  At about 1am on New Year's Day after having consumed alcohol Mr Lamont remembered the device in his pocket and left the pub.  He walked to the Obelisk stone, a short distance from the pub, and lit the wick thinking there would be a five second delay but the device immediately exploded while it was in his hand.  Mr Murphy read statements from witnesses who heard a bang and saw Mr Lamont running frantically towards the pub.  One witness said: I saw Mr Rob Lamont in a stressed and hysterical state. He said `I have blown my hands off' I could see virtually all his fingers and part of his palm were missing.
Mr Lamont stayed in hospital at Oxford for 12 days. Surgeons amputated part of all his fingers and thumb on his left hand. He returned to hospital in February for a week where more work was carried out and he also received physiotherapy.  Andrew Watts-Jones, defending, said Potter and Mr Lamont had re-established their friendship following the incident. He said Potter had detonated the three devices safely using an electronic system from a distance. He said when Potter came across Mr Lamont later in the evening in the pub and was told by Mr Lamont that he had the fourth device in his pocket Potter said: Be careful, this stuff could blow your hand off, and told him to put it in his car. Mr Watts-Jones said: Mr Lamont does not do this. He puts it back in his pocket and goes out on a frolic of his own where he gets out a cigarette lighter, lights the device and, bang, he is injured.  He said the items Potter used to make the devices were legal and said the only thing he did wrong was to make the devices without a licence.  He added: The Explosives Act was brought in at the end of the last century to counter terrorists. Mr Potter is not a terrorist, he is a bit of a fool but not a terrorist.