A GROUP of four boys suffered significant facial injuries when a firework exploded as they played on waste ground.

Shocked eyewitnesses said the victims, thought to be aged between nine and 12, were left covered in blood after the incident.

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Onlookers were left fearing for the boys’ eyesight after the firework was let off unexpectedly at a former factory site just yards from the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

Following the incident in Clayton Street, Nelson, air ambulances landed in Walverden Park and the nearby Lidl car park off Rigby Street to take two of the children to Alder Hey and the Royal Manchester children’s hospitals respectively.

The other two boys were taken to Manchester by ambulance Neighbours said that two of those injured were brothers and their parents were at their bedsides last night.

The two youngest are thought to both be aged nine.

The boys are understood to have run from the waste ground to a home in Albert Street, where an ambulance arrived just before noon.

Neighbour Mohammed Adrees, a father-of-five, said: “They had blood on their faces and it looked like their eyes were affected.

“I work at Morrison’s and we are always told how safe you have to be with fireworks.”

Fire chiefs and East Lancashire councillors have now urged parents to be extra-vigilant, in the wake of the incident, which occurred close to the rear entrance of Every Street School.

Sgt Shaun Pearson said: “Across East Lancashire at the moment we are getting reports of people throwing fireworks at passing members of the public and vehicles.

“Some people see it as a game and fun and this just demonstrates how serious the consequences can be.

“Unfortunately this happened to children, but it shows careless use of an explosive will result in an injury to somebody.

“This incident is being treated as an accident but I would ask anybody who witnessed it to come forward so we can work out how this happened and for the knowledge of the parents as well.”

Cllr Eileen Ansar, who represents Nelson’s Clover Hill ward, said: “This is shocking. Everyone in Nelson will be hoping these lads aren’t too seriously injured and they are back with their families soon.

“Several constituents have reported fireworks being let off irresponsibly but that has normally been late at night.

“I would urge parents to be vigilant and warn their children of the dangers at this time of year and stress that to play with fireworks is never, ever safe.”

Cllr Wayne Blackburn, also of Clover Hill ward, said he was “deeply concerned” about what happened.

He said: “Fireworks are not toys. I hope the children are okay and not badly injured.

“I will be raising my concerns at Nelson Area Committee.”

A North West Ambulance Service spokesman said that one boy was transported by air ambulance to Manchester Children’s Hospital and a second was flown to Alder Hey in Liverpool.

He added the other boys were taken by road ambulance to Manchester.”

Hyndburn Council leader Cllr Myles Parkinson, a Lancashire Fire Authority member, said: “The most sensible advice is to steer clear of fireworks and attend organised, safe displays.

“Fireworks are exceptionally dangerous and we see year after year that they can seriously injure or maim when in inexperienced hands.

“Please listen to the advice of the fire service and local authorities and do not handle fireworks.”

A Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents spokesman said: “It is against the law to carry fireworks in public if you’re under 18 and fireworks must not be sold to anyone who is under 18.

“Each year, over half of all firework injuries are suffered by children.”