Firework 'went off in her face'

Alison O'Nions said glasses saved her daughter's sight

A woman has suffered severe burns to her head and arms after returning to a firework that had not gone off.

Cathryn O'Nions, 32, from Minera near Wrexham, is in hospital and has been told she may need surgery.

Fire officers said that even though it was a well organised bonfire party it warned of the dangers of private firework parties in people's gardens.

Miss O'Nions' mother, Alison, said she believed her daughter would have been blinded if she was not wearing glasses.

Mrs O'Nions, who runs a local girl guides group, held the display for several of the youngsters and a few friends and family.

She said her daughter had already "let a few off" when one "went off in her face as she was lighting it".

I would appeal to everyone planning to celebrate bonfire season over the next few days or over the weekend to attend organised events Ian Williams, North Wales Fire and Rescue

She added: "Her coat caught on fire and the first thing we knew was my son-in-law shouting 'She's on fire, quick.'

"We were throwing water on her and rolling her in the grass. It was just horrendous."

Mrs O'Nions said she was hoping her daughter's injuries were superficial, but she has been told by specialists at Whiston Hospital on Merseyside, that she may require surgery to her hands.

A pair of glasses and a cap she was wearing at the time were blackened in the blast.

She added: "I think if she hadn't been wearing glasses she would have lost her sight.

"When you look at her face now, she has a line across the top of her forehead where the cap came down to and the rest of her face is completely burnt."

The firework caused burns to Cathryn O'Nion's clothes and body

She said her daughter had been lighting fireworks carefully and had followed all the guidelines.

But in a warning to children and other families, she added: "They are not toys. Don't play with them."

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said they had a busy night receiving over 40 calls between 1800 and 2100GMT with reports of bonfires out of control and similar incidents.

In Llanfairfechan, Conwy a woman suffered minor facial injuries during a town council fireworks display.

In south Wales, the fire service were called to 400 incidents but nothing serious.

Ian Williams, county operations manager for Wrexham, said:"Fireworks and bonfires can be very dangerous - this is why we have been appealing to residents only to attend organised, professional events.

"Even the most well organised home events can go wrong - as was the case with the incident in Minera. It was very well organised, with a contained bonfire, but this lady was still injured - it is definitely best left to the professionals.

"I would appeal to everyone planning to celebrate bonfire season over the next few days or over the weekend to attend organised events - a list can be found on our website."

Paramedics were called to the incident in Llanfairfechan after the last firework of the evening's council-run display tipped over, firing into the crowd.

The blast showered a number of onlookers with sparks.