By Angus Delaney and Hannah Hammoud
A 19-year-old man died on Christmas Day after a firework explosion in Melbourne’s outer north.
Police were called to the incident at a residential development area in Kalkallo at about 9pm, where they found the Whittlesea man with critical injuries. He died at the scene.
The teenager died after fireworks exploded in a residential development area in Kalkallo.Credit: Hannah Hammoud
Acting Senior Sergeant Fiona Parvin said Christmas Day would never be the same again for the victim’s family.
“Obviously, it’s extremely distressing for the family and friends of this person,” she said. “Fireworks should not be handled by the public.”
The incident happened in an estate being cleared for new housing on Pittsburgh Road and Cloverton Boulevard.
Parvin said that with New Year’s celebrations on the horizon, Victorians should take the opportunity to attend official fireworks displays in the city or at suburban festivals.
“We’re aware that, unfortunately, people can source fireworks online, through social media and word of mouth,” she said.
“Because they’re becoming a little bit more accessible, people aren’t treating them as seriously as they should be. What people have to realise is that fireworks are an explosive. They are illegal in Victoria, and you will be charged if you have possession of fireworks.”
Parvin warned that illegal fireworks could also spark grass fires as the state faced extreme weather this summer.
“You run the risk of harming yourself, you run the risk of hurting someone else from the community, [and] you run the risk of setting the state on fire,” she said.
“If you find a firework, leave it where it is and contact police. If you become aware of people who are illegally selling fireworks, you can contact your local police station or make an anonymous report through Crime Stoppers.”
Police are investigating the circumstances of the man’s death, and a report will be prepared for the coroner.
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