Toddler treated in hospital after firework injury as NIFRS reports crews targeted on Halloween

Sunday 01 November 2026

A girl aged under two needed hospital treatment after a firework exploded beside her in Carrickmore, while firefighters were separately targeted with fireworks at six incidents during Halloween celebrations in Northern Ireland.

The child suffered a burn to her forearm while she was with her parents in the Main Street area of Carrickmore at around 8.30pm on Saturday, 31 October.

In a separate operational update, Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) said crews attended 89 incidents between 6pm on Halloween and 1am on Sunday, including 23 involving bonfires.

Firework exploded beside child and parents

Local policing Inspector McDonagh said police received a report that a group of young people were throwing fireworks outside a petrol station in Carrickmore.

“One firework which they threw into the road partially exploded and then bounced back, exploding for a second time beside a child who was in the area with her parents.

“She sustained a burn to her forearm, which required hospital treatment.”

Police appeal to identify those responsible

Inspector McDonagh said:

“This little girl was aged under two and it’s only by sheer luck that the consequences of this reckless act weren’t even more serious. The irresponsibility of throwing fireworks near a petrol station is shocking.”

Police said four young males, described as being in their mid-teens and wearing dark-coloured tracksuits, were involved. Officers are appealing for information about their identities.

Firefighters targeted at six incidents

NIFRS said several of the 89 operational incidents attended during the seven-hour period were Halloween-related, including the 23 involving bonfires.

A spokesperson said:

“At six incidents fireworks were intentionally directed at attending Fire Crews; no damage or injuries resulted and operational response for local communities was maintained throughout.”

The NIFRS statement did not identify the locations of those six incidents or indicate any connection to the incident in Carrickmore.

How to help the Carrickmore investigation

Anyone with information about the Carrickmore incident can contact police through either of the following routes:

• Submit information using the witness appeal form at https://reporting.psni.police.uk/appeals quoting reference 1724 of 31/10/26.

• Call police on 101, quoting reference 1724 of 31/10/26.

Anyone who wishes to provide information anonymously can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/