Pune: Six-Year-Old Injured After Firecracker Blast in Stove, Vision Saved by Timely Surgery

Pimpri Chinchwad, 2nd September 2025: Curiosity turned dangerous for a six-year-old boy when he placed a firecracker inside a stove and peered in to watch the outcome. The cracker exploded inside, leaving him with severe facial injuries and threatening the loss of his eyesight. Prompt medical intervention, however, saved his vision.

The blast caused deep wounds on the child’s cheek, lips, and eyelids, along with serious damage to his eye. His parents rushed him to Medicover Hospital, where doctors from the plastic surgery department operated through the night to stitch the facial injuries. The greatest challenge, however, was preserving his eyesight.

Ophthalmologist Dr. Kirti Mane, who led the eye surgery, said the injuries extended up to the retina and lens. “Even a few hours’ delay could have led to permanent blindness. The torn eye was stitched, and a special lens was implanted to support healing,” she explained.

Thanks to the emergency procedure, the boy regained nearly 80 percent of his vision within 24 hours. Within two weeks, his eyesight was fully restored.

“Every minute felt like a race against time,” Dr. Mane noted. “Because of timely surgery and the team’s efforts, we not only managed to save his eye but also his vision. This case is a stark reminder of how dangerous firecracker accidents can be. Parents must be extremely cautious when allowing young children to handle firecrackers.”