Fireworks cause two amputations, house fires
Posted By: Bayley Bischof Channel 8 Eyewitness News
Dangerous events over the past few days have officials reminding you just how dangerous fireworks can be.
Especially in the case of a 6–year–old girl, who was holding a firework in her hand when it exploded.
Police said the girl, from Minnesota, was visiting a home near N. 27th and Fletcher. She was holding a roman candle firework called “The Atomic Bomb” Wednesday afternoon.
This firework is meant to be placed in the ground before its ignited, police said.
"The 6–year–old was transported to the hospital with significant injuries to her hand, including partial amputation of three fingers,” Lincoln Police Officer Angela Sands said.
Police cited the girl’s 30–year–old mother with felony child abuse.
"A 6–year–old can help light fireworks with supervision as long as they’re used in a way that’s not to harm the child,” Sands said.
But police said that young girl isn’t the only one in the hospital facing amputation of several fingers.
35–year–old Carl Lintt is in the ICU. The Lincoln man was lighting fireworks when one malfunctioned.
"It was in his hand and it basically blew some of his fingers off and damaged a lot. He has burns on his abdomen,” his mom, Terry Preister said.
Lintt and the young girl are expected to recover from their injuries.
But officials and loved ones said this is a good reminder to handle fireworks with care.
"Fireworks is no joke, it’s no games. You’re risking your life lighting off fireworks,” Lintt’s friend Sonlee Prack said.
Fireworks also caused property damage.
Police said an apartment building near 26th and C was evacuated after a porch started on fire after fireworks were left in a trashcan to smolder.
A similar story at a home in rural Waverly, the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Department said.
The trashcan with fireworks in it was left in a garage near 141st and Branched Oak Road overnight.
The fireworks ignited and caught the trashcan, a pick–up and the garage door on fire.
The owners said thankfully, a passer-by noticed the fire and they were able to put it out before too much damage was done.
This was a busy holiday week for our first responders overall.
10 people were treated at Bryan Health Hospitals for fireworks related injuries, and there were 227 firework related calls to the Lincoln Police Department.
