KOTA BARU: The Kelantan police detained four men for engaging in a ‘battle of fireworks’ in two groups in the vicinity of Lembah Sireh here, at about 3am on Wednesday.

       Kota Baru district police chief, Asst Comm Mohd Rosdi Daud, stated that the men, aged between 22 and 27, were setting off fireworks near the Lotus’s hypermarket and on the Sultan Yahya Petra Bridge, causing a loud commotion and disturbing the public peace.

       “No casualties or property damage were reported.

       “The detainees were released after their statements were taken. They were issued strong warnings to refrain from such behaviour,” he said in a statement yesterday, Bernama reported.

       ACP Mohd Rosdi cautioned that playing with fireworks to disturb the peace or endanger the public is an offence punishable under Section 13 of the Minor Offences Act 1955.

       “Moreover, individuals who intentionally cause explosions or possess explosive materials with the intent to endanger lives or property can be prosecuted under Section 7 of the Explosives Act 1957 (Act 207) and face imprisonment of up to seven years or a fine of RM10,000, or both, upon conviction,” he said.

       Meanwhile, Kelantan Health Department director Datuk Dr Zaini Hussin said 17 cases were recorded in Kelantan since March 19 until Wednesday, where people suffered injuries from playing with firecrackers and fireworks.

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       He said two of the casualties were women, adding that a total of 12 cases were treated at Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital, three cases treated at Sultan Ismail Petra Hospital, Kuala Krai, and two cases at the Pasir Mas Hospital.

       “All the victims were aged between four and 40 years old, but most were in the age-group of seven to 16 and nine to 12 years old.

       “Four of the injured were admitted to the ward while the rest received outpatient treatment,” he said.

       On Tuesday, Alor Setar police arrested two men for lighting up fireworks openly in a public place after the display spiralled out of control and sent visitors fleeing at Dataran Zero near the Sungai Petani bazaar.

       Kuala Muda police chief ACP Zaidy Che Hassan said investigations revealed that the incident was an unscripted chain reaction by the burning of a unit of ‘Happy Bomb’ type of firecrackers where during the explosion, the fireworks toppled and strayed towards another cache of fireworks which then ignited in large quantities.

       Personnel of the Sungai Petani fire and rescue station confirmed that no bystanders suffered injuries.