Lit firework thrown into Newport takeaway restaurant in 'shocking' video

November 02, 2023

A takeaway and restaurant had a "close call" when a lit firework was thrown into the premises.

Dragon House in Newport, Gwent, said there were no customers waiting for their meals when the incident happened.

While no one was injured in the incident in South Wales, the firework caused hundreds of pounds worth of damage to the shop counter, the owners said.

In a post on social media, the restaurant said the "reckless act of mischief" could have caused serious injuries to its staff and customers.

They issued an appeal for people to "think twice before endangering others".

Zoie Fong, who runs the restaurant with her husband Alan Yip, told Sky News the incident was "shocking".

It wasn't the first time an incident of this nature had happened, she said.

"The first time happened I think just before COVID, three years ago. They threw in a rocket and it burst," she said.

"They should think twice before they start throwing all these fireworks into a property, into a shop or into a house. There might be people around, there might be children."

Ms Fong said she had to stay "very alert" in light of the incident, and she would now look to change her camera system to a high-resolution one.

The damage to the counter was likely to cost the restaurant a "couple of hundred quid", Ms Fong said.

"We had good times, good business during the COVID, but after that, recent months, business dropped tremendously. So these are an additional burden to us honestly."

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Sergeant Mark Sexton, of Gwent Police, said it was "aware of a video circulating on social media reportedly located in Newport".

"However, we're yet to receive a report matching what is visible in the footage," he added.

He urged anyone affected by the incident to contact the force via 101 or its social media channels.

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