Several Hillsborough residents, including 10-year-old, suffer 'devastating' fireworks injuries
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TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Several people suffered “devastating” injuries due to accidents involving fireworks this year, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue said.

Among those injured was a 10-year-old boy who firefighters said had to be rushed to surgery after shrapnel from a PVC launch tube pierced his chest.

Two people also suffered hand injuries that resulted in partial or full amputations, and multiple other patients wound up with significant damage to their ear drums from firework use, authorities said.

At least three people were taken to Tampa General Hospital as trauma alerts, or patients that require immediate medical attention.

First responders weren’t just dealing with people being injured by fireworks. The explosives also caused a number of fires, setting a moving truck ablaze and resulting in major damage to a neighborhood clubhouse.

In another instance, improperly discarded fireworks lit a carpet on fire, which eventually spread to the whole house. Discarded fireworks also burnt up an apartment door entryway, the bed of a truck and a garage.

Authorities said all of these situations were “preventable tragedies.”

“Improper use and careless disposal of fireworks can destroy homes, cause lifelong injuries, financial burden, or worse,” the fire department wrote on social media. “Please, leave fireworks to the professionals.”

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