It’s fun to have balloons that go up, up and away. Made to resemble comic characters, such balloons are often a big draw among children at any party. But what if they explode and turn into balls of fire and end up injuring people?
Vipul Redey, a resident of Prestige Shantiniketan, a gated community, had organised a birthday party for his two-year-old child. He got what he thought were 300 helium-filled balloons. As the party unfolded last Saturday, so did a nightmare.
The balloons started exploding creating giant fireballs, which left two children and some adults injured.
The balloons, parents alleged, were filled with hydrogen gas, which is cheaper than helium but highly inflammable, and is also used in making explosives.
Vipul Redey said: “It was a large party hall. We had invited friends and family. A lot of children were present. There were around 300 balloons and they looked very pretty. A ribbon was tied to each, which the children used to hang on to the balloons.”
During the course of the party, one of the balloons drifted up to the ceiling. It touched a bulb and exploded. It started a chain reaction in which all the balloons exploded one after the other and led to the creation of two fireballs.
“There was a series of explosions. We had organised a magic show that was about to start when this happened. Fortunately, people ducked for cover. But my nephew and my wife’s niece were caught in the fire. The girl had the presence of mind to cover her face but her hands and hair got burnt,” he said. The children, aged 8 and 11, suffered burns on eyebrows, hands and face.
They were rushed to a local clinic and treated with ice and aloe vera. “They are fine now but have not been able to start going to school yet,” Mr. Redey said.
The family managed to convince the magician to continue with the performance shortly after the fire in order to calm down the other children. “The balloon supplier denied using hydrogen. But helium is an inert gas and could not have burnt like that. We will file a police complaint against him. I don’t want anyone to face the risk of endangering their children because of this person again,” Mr. Redey said.
The supplier could not be reached for his comment.
