Two hurt as teenagers set off huge firework outside cafe

Two people were injured after a huge firework placed in a bin outside a cafe exploded yesterday, sending debris flying over a 45-metre range and blowing off the shop's canopy.

The incident took place at about 5.45am after two male teenagers reportedly lit a round firework believed to measure up to 25cm and placed it inside a litter bin near a cafe in Tseng Choi Street, Tuen Mun. They then fled by car.

Seven customers were inside the cafe but were not hurt.

A man, 51, standing at a bus stop near the bin, was struck by debris and taken to Tuen Mun Hospital with an injured foot. A 27-year-old employee of the cafe suffered minor injuries to her hands from smashed glass.

Police said the firework could have killed anyone who was close to it, adding it was fortunate that the blast happened at dawn when there were few people on the street. The cafe has been open about a month and its owner told police he had had no disputes with anyone.

The bin was torn apart by the explosion and a three-metre canopy over the cafe was also blown off. Police explosives experts and firemen were sent to the scene and confirmed the cause of the explosion.