Baby hurt by firework lit in shop

A number of fireworks exploded in the shop

A 16-month-old baby was taken to hospital after an industrial firework was deliberately set off inside a shop.

A man in a cloak and skeleton-type mask entered California Wines on Tonge Moor Road, Bolton, Greater Manchester, carrying the firework on Monday night.

He dropped it on the floor and left before the firework went off, releasing scores of rockets.

Shopkeeper Hoam Dimh kicked it into the porch and was not injured, but his son was taken to hospital as a precaution.

Police said the baby boy, who was in the flat above the shop with his mother, vomited due to smoke inhalation and was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital.

Officers and firefighters were called to the shop just after 2130 GMT and the firework was doused to make it safe.

This was one of the worst incidents I have ever seen of someone abusing a lit firework and endangering lives Insp Tony Kenyon

It is believed to have been a Fantasia 218 and police are also keen to hear from any retailers who may have sold this firework to anyone.

Mr Dimh said he had previously had threats to leave the shop.

"I'm very scared. My wife is shocked," he said.

"We feel it's not safe here."

Insp Tony Kenyon, Greater Manchester Police, said: "This was one of the worst incidents I have ever seen of someone abusing a lit firework and endangering lives.

"This was not a small firework. It could be described as an industrial-style firework with up to 200 repeat rounds so the risk of endangering life was very high.

"It was a very dangerous prank and resulted in a young baby having to go to hospital.

"Thankfully the injuries were not severe but it could have been tragic.

"I would appeal to anyone who has information about this incident to come forward and contact us as soon as possible so we can bring whoever did this to justice."

Anyone with information or anyone who saw a man dressed in a similar costume at about the time of the incident is asked to call police or Crimestoppers.