Authorities seized 60kg of illegally stored fireworks from a barber shop in Byker on Wednesday, November 4, after concerns that the explosives could endanger homes on a busy street.
Trading Standards officers, firefighters and police responded to the scene on Shields Road within an hour of being alerted. They found boxes of explosives piled up only a few metres from people having their hair cut, stored beneath upper floor flats.
Licensing breach
A shop two doors down, with the same owner, was licensed to store up to 75kg of fireworks, but the barber shop was not. The extra 60kg of products, with names like Cyber Attack, Ninja 5, Sky Hunters and The Bull Run, could potentially release hundreds of shots each, pushing the business well over its agreed limit.
Depending on quantity, fireworks must also be stored a certain distance away from surrounding buildings and places. With flats above the shops and a busy road outside, those rules may also have been broken.
Official response
Coun Owen Burbidge, Newcastle City Council’s Cabinet member for inclusive economy and skills, said: "Fireworks are explosives and when improperly stored, especially in large quantities, pose a danger to the public and property. That is why retailers of fireworks are licensed.
"Thanks to swift action by our Trading Standards officers, the fire service and the police, a potentially disastrous situation has been averted.
"Fireworks can cause harm to people, pets and wildlife as well as to the air quality across the city. This Bonfire Night, we would strongly urge you to attend a professionally organised event.
"If you do decide to buy fireworks, then make sure you know how to properly store and use them, obey the law and be considerate to your neighbours."
Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service area manager Paul Russell added: "We work closely with our partners to protect the public during the fireworks season.
"As the licensing and enforcing authority for the storage and sale of fireworks in Tyne and Wear, we inspect premises to ensure fireworks are stored in accordance with the relevant legal requirements.
"Where we identify unsafe or unlicensed storage, we will take appropriate action, working with our partners where necessary, to reduce the risk to the public."
Following the seizure, authorities say investigations are continuing and appropriate action will be taken.
