Orange County, California – A devastating accident involving illegal fireworks has left two young children severely injured.
Edther Ocampo, 10, and his brother Dominic Ocampo, 11, found an unused firework on the street after soccer practice.
Driven by curiosity, they picked it up and brought it home. When they ignited it, Edther held it in his hand, resulting in an explosion that caused him to lose three fingers and suffer severe burns on his body. He also had internal abdominal bleeding and deep cuts on his face. Edther is currently in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Meanwhile, Dominic also sustained significant injuries and is recovering at home.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department reported that the children found an aerial shell, a type of dangerous explosive commonly used in rockets. These shells are often removed from rockets and ignited manually with exposed fuses, known as “quick fuses.” This type of fuse burns instantly, causing an explosion of the flash powder contained in the shell.
Authorities emphasize the risks associated with these illegal fireworks and urge the community to report any suspicious objects resembling explosives.
This tragic incident underscores the need to raise awareness about the dangers of illegal fireworks. Uncontrolled explosions can cause devastating injuries and alter the lives of victims and their families forever.
Parents must educate their children about the risks and keep these dangerous devices out of reach. Child injuries can lead not only to a bad experience but to a complete life change for the victims.
If you ever find a suspicious object, do not touch it and contact authorities for safe removal. Safety should always be the priority.
