Man’s arm severed below elbow in fireworks explosion near Darwin | Northern Territory

A 23-year-old man has had his arm severed in a fireworks mishap south of Darwin, one of a series of incidents as revellers marked Territory Day.

The St John ambulance service said the victim was taken to Royal Darwin hospital on Saturday night with his arm severed below the elbow. He was understood to have undergone surgery in a bid to have the arm reattached.

The hospital said on Sunday the man remained in a serious condition.

A 58-year-old man suffered an injury to his groin in the same incident and was also treated in hospital.

The pair had reportedly been using a steel pipe to launch fireworks at a Virginia property. But a misfire broke the pipe, scattering pieces of metal.

Police established a crime scene and investigations were continuing.

The fire service said crews responded to about 100 calls on Saturday. Many were related to fireworks.

The chief fire officer, Mark Spain, said there were several incidents in the Darwin CBD and northern suburbs with people firing firecrackers at crews off their balconies and off the roof of units.

“Crews attended a structure fire at a unit complex on Smith Street last year and unfortunately attended the same complex again this year to warn residents who were firing crackers off the roof into the busy street,” he said.

Northern Territorians mark self-governance from the commonwealth every year on 1 July. It is the only day of the year pyrotechnics can be purchased and locals are allowed to set off their fireworks between 6pm and 11pm.