Greater Manchester FRS prosecutes national fireworks distributor

At Manchester Magistrates’ Court on 6 October, Hashum Malik (director of Boom Fireworks Limited) pleaded guilty to offences relating to the storage of fireworks after specialist Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service inspectors discovered around 200 kg of Hazard Type 3 (HT3) fireworks being stored contrary to licensing requirements.

In separate cases heard at Tameside Magistrates’ Court on 11 September, Shabaz Ali Abbas of Broomhurst Avenue in Oldham and Said Shiragha Hashimi of Nevada Street in Manchester were sentenced for offences under the Explosives Regulations 2014.

The prosecutions were brought forward by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, which licenses the storage of explosives (including fireworks) across the city-region.

Boom Fireworks Limited

Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard that Boom Fireworks Limited, which operates distribution premises in Cheetham Hill and Rochdale, was found to be storing approximately 200 kg of HT3 fireworks in breach of explosives legislation.

HT3 fireworks present a greater fire, blast and projectile risk than standard HT4 retail fireworks and, as such, are subject to stricter storage requirements. Following on from the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service inspection, the fireworks were detained and removed from the premises.

Boom Fireworks Limited was fined £40,000 in addition to being ordered to pay a £2,000 surcharge. Manchester Magistrates’ Court also awarded full prosecution costs of £3,482.16, bringing the total fine to £45,485.16.

The Vape Store and Wise Buys

In Oldham, Shabaz Ali Abbas was found to be storing and selling fireworks at The Vape Store on Hollins Road that he owns, despite his explosives licence having expired on 31 October 2024.

When specialist fire safety inspectors visited the premises on 2 November 2024, they found fireworks still being stored, including higher-risk HT3 fireworks.

The stock was detained and removed. Abbas has been sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to complete a ten-day Community Order.

Tameside Magistrates’ Court awarded full prosecution costs of £4,162.11, together with a victim surcharge of £187, and ordered the fireworks seized from the premises to be destroyed.

In Bolton, inspectors found fireworks being stored and sold at Wise Buys on Bury Road without a valid explosives licence. It emerged that owner Said Shiragha Hashimi had taken over the business in 2023, but had not applied for a licence in his own name.

Inspectors found fireworks stored in unsuitable conditions, including some HT3 fireworks at premises with residential accommodation on upper floors.

Hashimi was sentenced to 25 days of Rehabilitation Activity Requirement, requiring him to participate in targeted rehabilitative programmes. He was also made subject to a three-month curfew. Tameside Magistrates’ Court awarded full prosecution costs of £4,281.82 and a victim surcharge of £114.

Tameside Magistrates’ Court ordered that the fireworks seized at the premises had to be destroyed.

Robust action

Kate Green, Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “Fireworks are enjoyed by many people across Greater Manchester at this time of the year. Storing them safely is essential for protecting the public, businesses and property.”

Green added: “These prosecutions demonstrate that we will take robust action against anyone who fails to store, supply or sell fireworks safely and legally.”

Further, Green noted: “We are committed to supporting businesses that want to comply with the law, but we will not hesitate to take tough enforcement action against those who put our communities and firefighters at risk.”

Karl Gibbons, head of protection at Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, explained: “Fireworks are explosives and the rules governing how they are stored exist to protect businesses, residents, customers and the wider public.”

Gibbons went on to state: “These prosecutions involve both a national distributor and local retailers, but the message is the same regardless of the size of the business. Anyone storing fireworks must understand and comply with their legal responsibilities.”

In addition, Gibbons said: “Our inspectors work closely with businesses throughout the year to help them meet those requirements and maintain safe storage arrangements. However, when businesses fail to comply with the law and create unnecessary risk, we will not hesitate to take enforcement action, including the potential for prosecution.”

Appropriate licences

With the main fireworks sales period now taking place, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service is reminding businesses that anyone storing, supplying or selling fireworks must ensure they have the appropriate licences in place and are complying with explosives legislation. Any failure to do so may result in enforcement action.

The prosecutions outlined form part of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service’s wider work to improve fireworks safety across the city region. Through its Bonfire and Halloween campaign, the Fire and Rescue Service works with businesses, partners and communities alike in order to raise awareness of the risks associated with fireworks and promote their safe and lawful storage, sale and use.

Businesses that store, supply or sell fireworks should ensure they understand their legal responsibilities and have the correct licences in place.

*Further guidance on licensing requirements, storage standards and explosives legislation is available on the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service Fireworks and Explosives web pages