Inquiry after boy, 8, burned by toy

Asad Gulnawaz, of Hareden Brook Close, Blackburn, received burns to a hand and his stomach when a joke pen blew up.

His mother is furious Asad that was sold the item, meant for over 14s.

The owner of Europa DIY Store, Bennington Street, Blackburn, has apologised and said he would be looking into the matter.

Asad bought the exploding pen for £1 from Europa DIY on Wednesday.

The packaging states it is an 'adult only' toy and not suitable for children under 14 years old.

Asad, who attends St Mary's and St Joseph's RC Primary School, said: "I had heard about the pen.

"A friend of mine in the mosque told me he had a pen that explodes.

"It was supposed to give a small electric shock.

"When I bought it, it didn't work at first so I went back to the shop and gave me some caps to put in it.

"I took it to my gran's house and I was playing upstairs with my cousins.

"They tried it but it didn't work. Then I tried. When I closed the lid it exploded.

"There was a bang and then my fingers felt funny.

"They were tingly, they went hard and crispy. I was scared and I ran to my mum. She didn't know I had bought it."

His mother Shanaz Sadar said her son came downstairs crying and she took him to the Royal Blackburn Hospital for treatment.

She said: "He was bending over holding his hand to his stomach in pain.

"It's lucky it wasn't near his eyes and my two-year-old son, Sahil, wasn't with him either.

"Asad was very lucky. He is only eight and that shop should not have sold it to him."

Imran Patel, owner and manager of Europa, said the incident was a mistake and that the pen should not have been sold to Asad.

He said: "I was not working the day the sale was made.We have never had an incident like this before. We have a strict policy that we do not sell to youngsters.

"I will be looking into this matter."

Chris Allen, head of environmental health and trading standards at the council, said: "We have received a complaint and will be investigating."