Two people have been arrested, after fireworks were fired into an Auckland lawnmower shop, injuring at least two people.<\/p>\n
One of the explosions struck a customer in the neck during the incident on Friday morning and two people were taken to hospital, store staff said.<\/p>\n
Six staff and seven customers were at Papakura Lawnmowers, when the explosions started.<\/p>\n
Lee Webster was working, when he heard a loud bang.<\/p>\n
“I didn’t know exactly what was going on – I looked up and there was a car that had pulled up just outside the shop. [The firework had] come through the front door and was going off inside.<\/p>\n
“I just ducked for cover obviously, because these fireworks were still coming through the front door, and… as they stopped, I actually took off after the car to try and get the description for the police.”<\/p>\n
Two people have been arrested and charged.<\/p>\n
Store owner Michael Wards said the outcome could have been much worse.<\/p>\n
“Towards a lawnmower shop of all places – with fuel and ignition sources – was horrendous.<\/p>\n
“It could have been catastrophic, if they had… shot the firework at a bottle of oil or at a petrol container.”<\/p>\n
Despite the shop still smelling like fireworks, Wards said it was lucky nothing caught alight.<\/p>\n
“I don’t understand where their brain was at. Who would have thought, ‘Let’s shoot fireworks at 9.30 in the morning’ – I mean, ridiculous.”<\/p>\n
Wards has been in contact with one of the injured people, who was discharged from hospital.<\/p>\n
He called for a ban on individual sales of fireworks to prevent more people getting injured.<\/p>\n
“Hopefully someone learns from their stupid mistake not to go and send fireworks in the direction of people.”<\/p>\n
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