5 replies to this topic

[SoonToBePyro]

The dark side of Pyro... I came across this video. I's pretty scary.

[David]

The problem with You Tube is that right alongside serious videos about fireworks accidents you have clowns being silly with fireworks, fake accidents etc.

There was a video- it may well still be there- from a family- their young son was in a very serious accident, a sober, sad and very moving video. The first "related video"- linked directly by You Tube at the end of the clip- was a guy firing a Roman Candle from his groin, dropping it and yelling " My nutsack is on fire."

[phildunford]

The video was of Enschede. A huge disaster in Holland in 2000 in which 23 people were killed.

The fact that some people see this as some sort of entertainment (see the comments on Youtube) only goes to show how sick our society has beome.

I don't believe the full facts about this incident have ever come to light. In this day and age it should not have happened.

Back in 1875 Col Sir Vivian Majendie laid down the bones of a system of storage and manufacture (the Explosives Act) that should have made such incidents impossible and most countries put something similar in place. In the UK, this has largely been successful. However it seems that the lessons have not been learned.

On an individual level if people 'muck about with fireworks' and hurt no one, or hurt no one but themselves, I see that as an issue of individual freedom. I'm still sorry to see anyone hurt. To see it all on Youtube does however give fireworks more of a bad press, but mass internet communication is a thing that is not going to go away and mostly is a force for good.

Perhaps we should all be posting firework videos that show the good and positive side of the craft.

Like this one! Firework Display

[Mortartube]

I agree that Enshede should not have happened, but I have been to a number of firework factories and stores both here and on the continental mainland and with very few exceptions the rules are flouted in some way until an inspection is likely then things are put in order, by a system of advance telephone warnings. Overall this is a terrible industry with few people who comply fully ALL OF THE TIME. Sorry to break it to those who didn't know and some of the worst sinners have been some big well known companies!!!

Edited by Mortartube, 11 April 2008 - 09:40 AM.

[David]

On an individual level if people 'muck about with fireworks' and hurt no one, or hurt no one but themselves, I see that as an issue of individual freedom.

Personaly, I don't think an individual should have the freedom to mis-use of muck about with fireworks. He is putting himself in danger. What if he was seriously injured? Its the NHS that would treat him. No man is an Island, as they say- its never really the case that a person can "hurt no-one but himself."

Edited by David, 11 April 2008 - 09:54 AM.

[phildunford]

Personaly, I don't think an individual should have the freedom to mis-use of muck about with fireworks. He is putting himself in danger. What if he was seriously injured? Its the NHS that would treat him. No man is an Island, as they say- its never really the case that a person can "hurt no-one but himself."

Well we are all entitled to our opinion (still just about a free country!), but I could not disagree more...

Yes he is putting himself in danger, yes, he could seriously injure or kill himself but that's his choice and he has it to make. As soon as we start trying to curb peoples free will I will be out on the street burning down the Houses of Parliament!

The state (NHS in this case) may have to clear up the mess but I for one am quite happy for a tiny proportion of my taxes to go to this purpose. This is the same argument that says we should ban caving or climbing (or any sports - or DIY or crossing the road) because we are intentionally putting ourselves in danger. It's a slippery slope that we have already slid too far down.

Now if that individual injured someone else by his action I am in favour of the harshest possible punishment. With freedom, comes responsibility.