A 12-year-old boy was struck in the face by an exploding firework in Port Moody, police say

A boy in B.C.’s Lower Mainland was hospitalized after being struck in the face by an exploding firework on Friday. The Port Moody Police Department said a caller reported a group of youths setting off fireworks near the Port Moody Recreation Complex at about 8:20 p.m. Officers who attended were surprised to find that a 12-year-old boy had been hit by a firework set off by one of his friends, police said in a statement Monday. His injuries were not life-threatening.

Police deemed the incident accidental and said the youth who set off the firework was given a $500 ticket. Sgt. Sam Zacharias said the incident was a reminder of the inherent dangers of fireworks being set off by people who have no business doing so. The city’s bylaws prohibit fireworks year-round; they may be set off only with a permit obtained through Port Moody Fire Rescue.

The department said fireworks-related calls typically increase in October. It warned that people caught violating city bylaws may have their fireworks seized and receive a ticket.