An 8-year-old boy and a 17-year-old male juvenile suffered severe injuries due to fireworks according to authorities.
According to Newark Police Captain Derek Glenn, the victims received severe, although non-life threatening, injuries when a firework exploded in their presence yesterday evening at around 6:30 p.m.. on Godwin Avenue in the city's South Ward.
Residents and eyewitnesses contacted authorities when a loud bang then screaming interrupted the silence of the evening in the neighborhood.
The youngest child was transported to Beth Israel Hospital by private vehicle when eyewitnesses said the boy's hand was "blown off" by an M-80 firecracker.
The juvenile reportedly suffered a massive ear injury, and some damage to his hand from the same M-80 witnesses said. He was transported to the hospital by EMS.
Captain Glenn said the investigation is in its early stages with police attempting to determine where the fireworks came from and exactly what happened.
"The police department is strictly enforcing the laws governing the use and possession of fireworks. Officers will be stepping up their enforcement efforts with the goal of keeping accidents like this from injuring anyone else or even possibly causing death" Captain Glenn continued.
It is not immediately clear if the boys were lighting or if it was thrown by someone else in the direction of the boys when the M-80 exploded.
The identity of the victims could not be released due to their ages authorities said.
IMAGE CREDIT: **bc.tvnews.com**