Boy loses hand in bedroom explosion

A teenager whose hand was severed in an explosion in his bedroom on the NSW north
coast may have been playing with fireworks, police say.
The 16-year-old's other hand was severely injured and he also suffered shrapnel
wounds in the blast at the Seelands property on Friday evening.
The room and its contents were badly damaged.
The Rescue and Bomb Disposal Squad were called on and police established an
exclusion zone until specialist officers examined the house on Saturday.
Acting Inspector Peter O'Reilly, of Coffs Harbour police, said it's believed
fireworks were involved.
"The explosion appears to be consistent with commercial pyrotechnics," he said.
"A significant amount of powder has been located there, and other equipment."
The boy was treated at the scene and taken to Grafton Base Hospital before being
transferred to Coffs Harbour Base Hospital.
He is now due to undergo surgery at Sydney Children's Hospital at Randwick after
being airlifted there late on Saturday, a hospital spokeswoman said.
The boy has not yet been interviewed by police, who say he may face possible
possession of explosives charges.