Teenager jumps out of window after firework blaze
A TEENAGER had to jump out of a first-floor window to escape after a firework was put through his door's cat-flap and set fire to the kitchen.
Neighbours saw the rocket being put through the cat-flap of the home in Barent Walk, Bestwood Estate, at 3pm yesterday.
The teenager was shocked but uninjured.
Watch Manager Lester White, based at Arnold Fire Station, said: "The youth who was upstairs had to jump out of th window. He was on his own, off school, and somebody has put a firework through the cat-flap and it has set fire to the kitchen and he has been unable to get out.
"He tried to come downstairs but with the kitchen being on fire he couldn't get downstairs. He came out of the front window of the house."
The teenager did not have serious injuries, but was shocked, and given a check by ambulance staff.
Mr White added: "He dropped out the window and his parents came home. He was fine. He was walking all right."
Firefighters then used breathing apparatus to enter the building and put the fire out. They were in attendance for about one hour. The kitchen was severely damaged by the fire.
Police have issued a warning that misusing fireworks is an arrestable offence, and anyone finding themselves in court can be issued with a fine of up to £5,000.
Anyone with information about such incidents should call Notts Police on 0115 967 0999, the Nottingham City Council Anti-Social Behaviour Helpline on 0115 915 2020, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. In an emergency call 999.
A 12-year-old boy has been arrested and released on police bail in connection with the incident.
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by Andyman, Derbys
Thursday, October 30 2008, 2:34AM
“Yes lets ban everything, but this is not really the issue or the answer.
Looking at the potential, had the teenager been in bed asleep, recouperating, things could have been a lot worse, it could have been a manslaughter charge for the culprits. Look at the damage caused to the property, and who has to deal with the fallout of it.
What is really needed is current legislation enforcing, we are all fed up of fireworks being let off indiscriminately at all hours of the day and night, and the children roaming the streets with them openly on display.
Having a particular problem a couple of years ago, my neighbours phoned the Police, they were not interested, they suggested the council. Phoning the council yielded the same result, a brick wall, all my complaining neighbours were simply fobbed off, and neither the Police or local council wanted any involvement.
Here lies the issue; it is a criminal offence to let fireworks off indiscriminately, but who enforces this offence, noise issues are another offence, but it is the environmental health department at local councils who are supposed to deal with it. When parked vehicles have fireworks thrown under them, and damage is caused it is the Police's responsibility to enforce the law.
What is needed is a concerted policy on who will prosecute for which offence, and co-operation between the two authorities.”
by Big Al, Carlton
Wednesday, October 29 2008, 5:36PM
“YES IT IS TIME TO BAN FIREWORKS other than at public displays. The idiot who this firework into this house should also be banned, from walking the streets. He should be locked up and out of harms way. As For "Mr Mojo", It time he grew up and lerned some common sense
Big Al”
by Neil, Nottingham
Wednesday, October 29 2008, 1:16PM
“I dont think we should necessarily ban them but I do think we should require a licence to use them. Over the years I have noticed an increase in ad-hoc fireworks being set off late into the night. If the sale of these was licenced it would reduce accidents and fireworks going off in dangerous areas.”
by Mr Mojo, Mapperley
Wednesday, October 29 2008, 12:53PM
“Yes, yes, ban fireworks.
And cars. Matches too...dangerous things, matches. What about barbecues ?...always thought they were an accident waiting to happen.
Snakes, let's ban snakes, they're terrible things.
Air....what about air ?...it's contaminated by all kinds of nasty things...let's ban air.
Cadburys Wispa, quick ban it before they relaunch it.....I slipped on one once and got a nasty lower arm injury.”
by Dave, Nottingham
Wednesday, October 29 2008, 12:30PM
“No, it is NOT time we banned fireworks. Fed up of this modern obsession with banning things that give a lot of people pleasure because they are misused by a tiny criminal minority.”