Girl, 4, fighting for life after being struck by firework in Burnley

A 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a four-year-old girl was left fighting for her life when she was struck by a firework.

The young girl, who has not been named, remains in hospital in a critical but stable condition after the incident in Burnley, Lancashire, on Bonfire Night last week.

Officers were called to the Elm Street area just before 8.50pm on Wednesday after receiving reports that a girl had been hit by a firework and sustained multiple serious injuries.

The Lancashire Constabulary confirmed today that they have arrested a 15-year-old boy from Burnley on suspicion of statutory public nuisance.

They said: ‘The arrest relates to the alleged supply of fireworks and he remains in custody at this time,’ as they continue to appeal for witnesses.

According to police, the area had seen previous anti-social use of fireworks, but ‘this year has gone too far.’

People have taken to social media to share their well-wishes for the little girl and to demand that fireworks be firmly banned.

One Facebook user commented: ‘Heartbreaking, all my love goes to the little one and her family! There’s a petition to sign on the sale of fireworks. Massive love and I really hope she pulls through this.’

Another said: ‘Why are we selling explosives and rockets to the general public? Ban fireworks unless for a public event one day a year, they go on for 2 weeks, it’s an absolute joke.’

Unfortunately, this incident was not the first or last anti-social use of fireworks, with one youth using a ‘firework rocket launcher’ to shoot at a bus in Birmingham.

Also in Birmingham, young people directed fireworks at people walking down the high street on Bonfire Night.

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to call 101.

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