A shopkeeper and his family found themselves trapped by smoke in their home after a New Year’s firework celebration turned to disaster.
The owner of H S Nahar Store in Slaithwaite, who asked not to be named, said his family were terrified after acrid smoke forced them to climb out of a window when the used fireworks were brought inside their home above the shop after the midnight celebrations.
The drama unfolded above the shop on Radcliffe Road after the family of six set off fireworks to see in the New Year, then left the used box by their front door which ignited a stream of thick smoke.
Their panicked escape left one member of the family injured after cutting his arm on a window they smashed to get out.
The shop owner said: “My son bought a box of fireworks to celebrate. After we had set them off we went back inside.
“We didn’t want to leave rubbish outside so we brought the box in and left it by the door.
“We went back into the kitchen and didn’t notice the smoke for about half-an-hour when the alarm went off, but we couldn’t escape because it was blocking the door.
“We panicked and were all very scared it might turn into a big fire.”
The shop owner’s son, who is 17, cut his arm while the family escaped, but no-one else was badly injured except for a few minor cuts.
“I’ve only had this shop for a month – we are very glad no one was hurt.”
Huddersfield watch commander Chris Bell said: “The entrance where the firework was burning was their only means of escape so three people smashed the kitchen window and climbed onto a flat roof but the other three were trapped in the lounge.
“It was lucky they had a smoke detector which alerted them quickly to the fire that was developing.”
Commander Bell urged people to never take fireworks inside their home.
“Even if you think they are out, they are better left outside,” he said.
He added home-owners should never smash windows unless necessary
“It’s hard to break double-glazed units and then dangerous climbing through broken windows,” he said. “There was a lot of shattered glass in the flat. It’s best to get into a room away from the fire, dial 999 and take advice over the phone.”
