Boom Fireworks Limited and the people behind two shops in Oldham and Bolton have been fined thousands and one has received a suspended sentence for putting the public at risk.
Following a crackdown by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), Boom Fireworks Limited as well as The Vape Store on Hollins Road, Oldham, and Wise Buys on Bury Road, Bolton, were taken to court over breaches of rules around handling explosives.
Court cases and fines
At Manchester Magistrates’ Court on October 6, GMFRS said Hashum Malik, director of Boom Fireworks Limited, pleaded guilty to offences relating to the storage of fireworks after specialist GMFRS inspectors discovered around 200kg of Hazard Type 3 (HT3) fireworks being stored contrary to licensing requirements.
In separate cases heard at Tameside Magistrates Court on 11 September, the fire service said Shabaz Ali Abbas, of Broomhurst Avenue, Oldham, and Said Shiragha Hashimi, of Nevada Street, Manchester, were sentenced for offences under the Explosives Regulations 2014.
According to GMFRS, the court heard that Boom Fireworks Limited, which operates distribution premises in Cheetham Hill and Rochdale, was found to be storing approximately 200kg of HT3 fireworks in breach of explosives legislation.
Details of the offences
HT3 fireworks present a greater fire, blast and projectile risk than standard HT4 retail fireworks and are therefore subject to stricter storage requirements. Following a GMFRS inspection, the fireworks were detained and removed from the premises.
Boom Fireworks Limited was fined £40,000, and a £2,000 surcharge. The court also awarded full prosecution costs of £3,482.16, making the total fine £45,485.16.
In Oldham, GMFRS said Abbas was found to be storing and selling fireworks at The Vape Store which he owns despite his explosives licence having expired on 31 October 2024. The stock was detained and removed.
GMFRS said Abbas was sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to complete a 10-day community order. The court also awarded full prosecution costs of £4,162.11, together with a victim surcharge of £187. The fireworks seized from the premises were also ordered to be destroyed.
In Bolton, inspectors found fireworks being stored and sold at Wise Buys without a valid explosives licence. Owner Hashimi had taken over the business in 2023 but had not applied for a licence in his own name.
Wider concerns and response
Inspectors found fireworks stored in unsuitable conditions, including some below residential accommodation. GMFRS said Hashimi was sentenced to 25 days of Rehabilitation Activity Requirement, requiring him to participate in targeted rehabilitative programmes.
He was also made subject to a three-month curfew. The court awarded full prosecution costs of £4,281.82 and a victim surcharge of £114.
Kate Green, Deputy Mayor for Safer and Stronger Communities, said: “These prosecutions demonstrate that we will take robust action against anyone who fails to store, supply or sell fireworks safely and legally.
“We are committed to supporting businesses that want to comply with the law, but we will not hesitate to take tough enforcement action against those who put our communities and firefighters at risk.”
Fireworks being set off in the early hours has been an issue in Oldham in recent months, disturbing people in the area. Last month, Labour and Reform councillors there slammed the situation and called on the government and the council to take action.
Two motions had been put forward which were both carried. Labour councillors Barbara Brownridge and Zaheer Ali said fireworks were leading to complaints ‘throughout the year’ and argued current laws are ‘no longer fit for purpose’ as it was becoming increasingly harder for authorities to tackle the problem.
Meanwhile Reform councillors Peter Hanlon and Steve Eyre said: “This council declares zero tolerance for masked youths on illegal bikes, dangerous speeding cars and illegal fireworks. No excuses. No delay. No dilution.”
