Saughton incident: Local councillor speaks out after children injured by fireworks in Edinburgh

Emergency services were called to the Saughton area around midday on Sunday after hearing reports that a box of fireworks had exploded in the hands of two children aged 12 and 13.

The children were taken to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children.

Cllr Amy McNeese-Mechan, Chair of Edinburgh Community Safety Partnership, said: “I was really shocked to hear about the injuries the boys sustained, and I send them my best wishes for a speedy recovery. It’s horrifying that some irresponsible individual appears to have left these hazardous items within reach of children.

“This is a stark reminder of the very real dangers of fireworks and their misuse. We will continue to work closely with our partners in Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to educate people on keeping themselves and everyone else safe.”

This comes after a spate of dangerous incidents across the Capital and the rest of the country involving fireworks.

Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service reported that many of their officers were attacked by people throwing fireworks as they were called to extinguish fires and deal with antisocial behaviour.

West Pilton Park was the scene of one of the many large fires that were set across the Capital on Thursday and locals reported that youths were at the scene throwing fireworks.

Edinburgh residents described another fire, this time at Saughton Mains, as resembling a "war zone” after officers attempted to deal with the fire were forced to retreat after the public launched fireworks at them.

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