Firework fired at mother's house (From Blackburn Citizen)

Firework fired at mother's house

1:39pm Sunday 4th November 2007 in News By David Watkinson, Deputy news editor

A POWERFUL firework was fired at a living room window while a woman sat watching TV.

Anne Marie Goodwin, 46, said she was "terrified" by the incident and lucky the explosive did not break her double glazed window.

And she is warning others to beware of people messing about with fireworks.

Mrs Goodwin said: "I was sitting in my living room and then I heard a massive bang. I couldn't believe it. I know how lucky I am that the double glazing protected me.

"I was sat right next to the window. It is unbearable to think of what might have happened if the glass had shattered."

Luckily only the outer pane of glass was smashed on her mid-terrace home in Bold Street, Accrington when the firework went off about 8.30pm on Saturday.

Mrs Goodwin said that because of the ferocity with which it smashed into the house she believes it was set off from either the street or her garden wall - and aimed directly at her home.

After investigating the damage she found the casing to a large firework with the logo "big boy" written on it.

She added: "There are a lot of people on this street that don't have such strong windows and it could have caused great damage.

"I keep running through in my mind what happened. If it had smashed my window I could have been badly injured and a fire could have started.

"People should be more responsible. The damage fire-works can do is incredible."

Police are looking into the incident. Throwing a firework in a street or public place is a criminal offence, with a maximum fine of £5,000.