Boys disfigured after dangerous, ‘altered' fireworks show up in Flagler County, deputies say

FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. — Dozens of “extremely dangerous and altered fireworks” stolen from a Bunnell business have been showing up in Flagler County and have already permanently disfigured two boys, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office said.

The business, Big Nic’s Boom Boom sticks, at 2121 N. State St., was broken into recently and the fireworks were taken, deputies said.

The fireworks taken were considered too dangerous to sell and had not been on the shelves, the business’ owner told investigators.

The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office did not say how the fireworks were altered or why they were considered more dangerous than standard products.

“The owner of the business has told us that he had left (the fireworks) in the business because he was not going to sell that,” Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said. “Because he felt it was too dangerous.”

Following the burglary, two boys were seriously injured in a restroom at Dr. Carver Park Sunday while trying to set off some of the stolen fireworks, Staly said.

“The (8-year-old) child was holding (the firework) like this and he lit it, and it exploded in his hand,” Staly said. “That hand will never recover. And there are questions as to whether he can even keep the hand at all.”

A 7-year-old boy also injured in the explosion received serious injuries to his face and chest, deputies said.

The Sheriff’s Office and Bunnell Police Department urged anyone in possession of the fireworks to turn them in immediately, “no questions asked.”

“The primary concern is the safety of the community and children and to get these dangerous and altered fireworks off of the streets,” Staly said. “We do not want to see anyone else get hurt. These stolen fireworks have already caused permanent disfigurement to two small children and one child’s life has been changed forever.”

Anyone with information on the fireworks burglary is asked to contact the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office at 386-313-4911, or Crimestoppers at 1-888-277-TIPS (8477).

Cox Media Group