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Lucky escape after firework attack on pub
Paul and ann Lawrence who had a firework fired through the door of their pub the First Inn Last Out w104513b Picture: Ceri Oakes
PUNTERS at a busy boozer in Whitby had a lucky escape when a home-made firework was thrown through the door.
Yobs targeted the First In last Out pub on the Fishburn estate at about 10.30pm on Thursday night.
Landlord Paul Lawrence and wife Ann were in the living quarters above the pub at the time and say the blast was so loud they thought it had been a gas explosion.
They rushed downstairs to find the pub full of smoke, shards of glass everywhere and the 20 customers rushing outside.
Residents as far away as Esk Terrace, Elgin Street and Osborne Terrace also heard the bang.
The couple who have been at the pub 16 months found in the foyer the remains of what they thought was a home-made firework which had bounced off the walls, lifted the door off its hinges, scorched the carpet and damaged the skirting boards.
Luckily no-one was hurt but the couple fear it could have been much worse and are warning others to be on their guard.
Mr Lawrence said: “We were in the flat and there were about 20 people playing darts and dominoes downstairs.
“The next thing there was an almighty explosion. I thought it was gas it was that bad. We came running downstairs and the pub was full of smoke.
“People had come running out of their houses. If someone had been in the foyer they would have been seriously injured or worse. These imbeciles don’t realise what they are doing.”
Mrs Lawrence added: “When I went to bed afterwards I was petrified of every little noise.
“I didn’t feel safe and everything was going through my mind – they knew what they were doing.
“We rang the police straight away but there is not a lot they can do. They stopped a couple of cars but there was nobody about when we went outside.
“They don’t realise the danger of what could have occurred. They could have hurt somebody, killed somebody or set the place on fire. They are lucky they haven’t got a death on their hands.”
On Friday morning customers helped the Lawrences clear up the debris.
Insp Mark Grange from Whitby Police said: “We are after tracing the occupants of a blue Ford Focus driving past the pub at the time and we want to speak to people who might have been in that area.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Whitby police on (0845) 60 60 247.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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Wind direction: North east
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