Fury over ‘farcical’ fireworks display at cricket ground which was obscured by cloud and smoke (and saw sparklers accidentally hit floodlights)… as families demand refunds
- The display was taking place at Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham on Saturday
Video footage has emerged of a ‘shocking’ fireworks display that left punters fuming after they couldn’t see anything due to clouds and smoke.
The bonfire night was taking place at Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham on Saturday but was slammed as a ‘total disaster’.
In the video, there is the sound of fireworks and explosions but there is no sign of the actual display, only a dull colour because of the amount of smoke.
One attendee wrote on Facebook that she felt like she was in a ‘war zone’.
The event was billed as the ‘biggest fireworks spectacular in Birmingham’ but people left demanding refunds.
The bonfire night was taking place at Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham
The stadium said that ‘adverse weather conditions’ obscured the fireworks display
People were so annoyed at the fireworks that they left midway through the show and some are demanding refunds
The venue said adverse weather conditions had impacted the event and several clips online show families standing up to leave in the middle of the show while others are in obvious shock at the display.
People took to social media to vent their frustration at the event.
One person said: ‘They have totally f– up the fireworks at Edgbaston.
‘Fireworks hitting the floodlights.’
Another said: ‘The greatest show??? At this point, it was just farcical…
‘First ever display for 2/3 of our kids. Not able to get any food in time.
Pictured, spectators watch the fireworks display but no fireworks can be seen due to the smoke
Edgbaston Stadium said it worked with an experienced pyrotechnics company and thoroughly risk assessed in advance during the display
‘No fireworks. Not sure we’ll get them to another one any time soon.’
One person said: ‘Watching people leave the fireworks. Perhaps they should have been stopped when they realised it was a smoke display.’
Another added: ‘The smoke was in fact caused by a lack of professionalism including poor testing practices, as the fireworks were hitting the building and floodlight in addition to explosions in the seats.’
And another said: ‘Also the prices and quality of the food were outrageous! Knowing it’s a family event and the current issues many families face with the cost of living crisis.’
In a statement, the stadium wrote: ‘Due to the atmospheric conditions and unfortunate weather conditions we know that our fireworks display was impacted. We are currently investigating the issues that occurred and we will communicate with all ticket purchasers in due course.’
But a furious spectator said in response: ‘Nothing to do with the weather. On a clear summer’s night there still would’ve been a ridiculous amount of smoke and we still wouldn’t have been able to see anything.
People took to social media to vent their frustration at the ‘fireworks spectacular’
Another spectator said: ‘Shocking tonight, shame as it’s normally awesome. They need to refund or put on another show free of charge.’
Steph Darby, from Tipton, spent nearly £100 taking her family to the fireworks.
She told the BBC: ‘When the fireworks started, within about 20 seconds it had evidently gone wrong.
‘It went smoky really quickly, you couldn’t see any of the fireworks, you couldn’t even see where it was lighting from the floor.
‘Everyone then noticed that the fireworks were hitting the floodlights but it didn’t seem to be clearing the stadium at all, it was just smoke, you couldn’t see a thing.’
Edgbaston Stadium said it worked with an experienced pyrotechnics company and thoroughly risk assessed in advance during the display.
An investigation has also been launched following the display and the stadium will communicate with all ticket holders, the BBC reported.
A spokesperson for Edgbaston Stadium said: ‘The Fireworks Spectacular is one of the most popular events in our calendar, with families returning year after year, so it’s really disappointing the adverse weather conditions impacted last night’s event.
‘The same type and volume of fireworks were used on Friday night at the stadium and 4,000 visitors enjoyed an amazing display on a clear night.
‘However, last night there was a lingering mist and the atmospheric conditions were such that smoke from the fireworks failed to dissipate. We understand that other displays in the region were also affected by the conditions.’
MailOnline contacted Edgbaston Stadium for comment.
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