Lit firework thrown into Newport takeaway restaurant in 'shocking' video
The shop counter was damaged but no one was injured in the incident at Dragon Palace takeaway and restaurant in Newport, Gwent.
Thursday 2 November 2023 14:42, UK
A takeaway and restaurant had a "close call" when a lit firework was thrown into the premises.
Dragon Palace 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."
Read more from Sky News:
M&S apologises and pulls Christmas ad post
Storm Ciaran brings road closures to parts of UK
Man arrested over 'Manchester Arena bomber' Halloween costume
Be the first to get Breaking News
Install the Sky News app for free
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.