Dangerous black market fireworks openly sold online ahead of New Year’s Eve

Illegal fireworks that can cause serious injury and spark fires are being brazenly sold online for as little as $25 ahead of New Year’s Eve celebrations in Melbourne.

Illegal fireworks are being openly sold online for as little as $25 ahead of New Year’s Eve celebrations in Melbourne despite them posing serious safety and fire risks.

The Herald Sun has found sellers brazenly advertising backyard fireworks on social media platforms including Instagram and TikTok, with some offering home delivery of the black market goods.

Video footage has also emerged of teens risking their lives while setting off illegal fireworks in suburban parks across Melbourne.

One seller, based in Epping, who has dozens of posts on Instagram advertising illegal fireworks, wrote: “Selling now to December 31. Fireworks ranging from $25 – $1000”.

Images posted to the page show dozens of fireworks being sold, including God of War and Hot Waves brands.

The number of injuries from illegal fireworks has increased since last financial year.

Some sellers are offering home delivery.

The seller also boasts about offering home delivery to anywhere in Melbourne.

On TikTok user, another seller based in Melbourne, has posted several videos advertising boxes of fireworks, with the caption saying: “Message now before too late”.

The videos appear to be taken in a backyard, with interested buyers commenting on the user’s posts asking where they can buy the illegal goods from.

Victoria Police Detective Acting Inspector Mark Kennedy from the Arson and Explosives Squad said those caught using illegal fireworks could face a prison sentence of up to five years and thousands of dollars in fines.

“Our message to anyone responsible for a fire this summer season – including those recklessly lit by fireworks – has been clear: you light it, you own it. We will be holding every single person to account for recklessly lit fires,” he said.

WorkSafe executive director of health and safety Narelle Beer said it was concerning to see an increase in the number of people seeking emergency treatment for fireworks-related injuries.

“Enjoy your celebrations, but please don’t let illegal fireworks ruin the fun – there’s a very real risk that you or someone nearby could be seriously hurt,” she said.

In the 2022-23 financial year, 23 people presented to a Victorian hospital with fireworks-related injuries, 16 more than the previous year.

Fireworks explode as the clock strikes midnight. Picture: Mark Stewart

Meanwhile, 191 people have been treated for fireworks-related injuries since July 2015, according to Monash University’s Victorian Injury Surveillance Unit.

Burns were the most common injuries followed by eye injuries and open wounds.

The majority of patients treated were male, with one in four aged between 20 and 24.

CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan urged Victorians to be mindful of the repercussions of illegal fireworks, after the dangerous goods caused 26 fires and explosions across the state last summer.

“Following three wet seasons we’re now seeing exceptional grass growth across Victoria that has started to significantly dry out, posing an enhanced risk of vegetation fires,” he said.

Fire Rescue Victoria Acting Deputy Commissioner of Community Safety Gavin Rooney said the use of fireworks on New Year’s Eve was a yearly issue for fire services across Victoria.

“Each of these incidents has the potential to seriously injure individuals or start a fire that threatens life and property, which is why we ask Victorians not to take the risk and use illegal fireworks this New Year’s Eve,” he said.

Ambulance Victoria Acting Director of Emergency Management Brett Drummond said: “We want to make sure that people avoid illegal fireworks.”

“There are plenty of injuries that we see that people have been using around the use of illegal fireworks. We’re really asking everyone to stay away from these,” he said.

Originally published as Dangerous black market fireworks openly sold online ahead of New Year’s Eve