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Video: Fireworks Rip Through NYC Apartment Window, Burning Toddler
By
Sydney Pereira
Published Jun 24, 2020
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By
Sydney Pereira
Published Jun 24, 2020
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A toddler sustained burn injuries after a firework blasted through the window of a Bronx apartment, during another night of illegal fireworks use that has been skyrocketing in NYC in recent weeks.
NBC 4 reports the 3-year-old suffered burns and needed stitches after the fireworks came through the window on Tuesday night. The video, captured by the toddler's teenager sister, shows fireworks being blasted off from the street, and with one shooting through the window.
The child is heard screaming after sparks flew through the window in the video below:
The boy suffered a cut on his arm requiring stitches and first- and second-degree burns. The NYPD is seeking tips about the incident.
Fireworks-related complaints to 311 and 911 have topped 20,000 this year. Of the 11,535 call to 311 from January 1st to June 21st, 40 percent have been in Brooklyn in June.
So far this month through June 22nd, 13,109 complaints have been filed about fireworks.
In another incident in Harlem, a man was seen on video tossing a firework at someone sleeping on the street who police believe to be homeless. The 66-year-old suffered burn injuries.
On Tuesday, Mayor Bill de Blasio launched a task force with a team of NYPD, FDNY, and Sheriff's Bureau officials to "disrupt supply chains" of the illegal pyrotechnics into NYC. Some scores of fireworks have already been confiscated.
FDNY Fire Marshals arrested two suspects for allegedly driving $6,000 worth of illegal fireworks into the city on Tuesday.
Matthew King, 35, and Rayval Singh, 22, were arrested on Staten Island by Fire Marshals "investigating and conducting surveillance to curtail the extensive illegal fireworks condition in our city," according to an FDNY statement on Instagram.
The duo will be charged with reckless endangerment and unlawful dealing of fireworks.
Here's the haul:
A Bronx VICE team also arrested two people for allegedly selling fireworks out of their car on Friday.
"Both sellers were arrested and the buyer was summonsed," NYPD Chief of Detectives Rodney Harrison said on Twitter.
The fireworks were taken and their car was seized as well. The NYPD did not immediately respond to a question about how much the fireworks were worth or other details.
Fire Marshals also discovered a Bronx fire at an apartment building on Valentine Avenue near East 194th Street was believed to be caused by fireworks. The roof and upper floor had "extensive damage."
It is not clear how many injuries there have been due to fireworks this year. The NYPD has said that from January 1st to June 14th, police had only responded to two injuries. We've requested additional injuries information from the NYPD and FDNY and will update when we hear back.
Tagged
fireworks
Illegal fireworks
new york city
bronx
nypd
Sydney Pereira
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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