BUNNELL, Fla. – A firework that severely injured two young boys in Flagler County was a "dangerous and altered" firework that had been stolen from a business in Bunnell, according to the Sheriff's Office.
Deputies said dozens of explosives were stolen from Big Nic’s Boom Boom Sticks at North State Street in Bunnell and are still missing.
"These aren't the small firecrackers that people may think this is. There is a lot of explosive device in here, and there's really no need for these kinds of items in our community," Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly told News4Jax on Wednesday.
Two boys, ages 7 and 8, came across one of the stolen fireworks at Dr. Carver Park in Bunnell on Sunday. But deputies said the firework had been altered -- the fuse had been broken off, meaning the person who lit it would have a shorter amount of time to safely get away from the firework before it exploded.
Staly said the boys tried to blow up a toilet seat with the firework, and when it ignited, it exploded in the 8-year-old's hand.
The boys suffered life-altering injuries, according to the Sheriff's Office.
"That hand will never recover. There's a question of if he will be able to keep the hand at all," Staly said. "The other child had injuries to the face and chest. While he will recover, he will also more than likely have scars for the rest of his life as a result."
A woman who was at the park and called 911 said one boy's hand was hanging off and the other child suffered injuries to his face, WKMG reported.
"I heard the firecracker and I looked and saw the kids running and yelling, 'Mama, mama, mama,'" the woman told a 911 dispatcher. "I saw his hand was hanging off, so I made him get in my car."
Deputies do not believe the two boys were involved in the burglary at Big Nic’s Boom Boom Sticks. No possible suspects have been identified.
The owner of the business told authorities the fireworks weren't for sale because they were already too dangerous. The sheriff said he told the owner the fireworks could have been locked up in a large storage container.
“The primary concern is the safety of the community and children and to get these dangerous and altered fireworks off of the streets,” Staly said. “We do not want to see anyone else get hurt. These stolen fireworks have already caused permanent disfigurement to two small children, and one child’s life has been changed forever.”
Deputies said anyone who is in possession of the stolen fireworks can turn them in at any law enforcement or fire department immediately, no questions asked.
Anyone with information about the burglary is asked to call FCSO at 386-313-4911 or Crimestoppers at 1-888-277-TIPS (8477).