A 39-year-old man has been arrested after his son suffered a major injury to his hand when he ignited illegal fireworks in their South San Jose home on Friday, a police spokeswoman said Tuesday.
The 10-year-old victim was in his father's residence in the 400 block of Lewis Road being cared for by a family member when he lit the fireworks inside a bedroom at about 7 p.m. Friday, San Jose police Sgt. Heather Randol said.
The pyrotechnics caused a large explosion that disfigured the boy’s hand and he was transported to a hospital for treatment, Randol said at a news conference outside San Jose police headquarters Tuesday morning.
Officers later searched the home and found 14 pounds of firecrackers and a mixture of other fireworks, which are illegal in San Jose, Randol said.
"We are thankful that they all did not ignite, but it was enough to cause a serious injury," she said.
The father, who is not being named to protect the identity of the juvenile victim, was arrested on suspicion of felony child endangerment and misdemeanor possession of illegal fireworks, Randol said.
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She said police held the news conference Tuesday about the incident to raise public awareness about the dangers of fireworks and to remind residents that it is illegal to have or set them off within the city.
