Families were left scrambling and a man injured after fireworks shot into the crowd at the Jimboomba Family Carnival last week.
Those running the show say it was a manufacturing fault.
The carnival is an annual, week-long event that ended on Sunday 17 August.
But on the show’s second day, the end-of-night fireworks display didn’t quite go to plan.
“Fireworks were shooting at ground level,” attendee Michael Atherinos said online.
“One exploded about ten metres from me, my family, and other families, and another shot into the grandstand, exploding in the crowd.
“Despite this, the organisers kept setting off more fireworks instead of stopping the display.
“Children were crying and people were running for safety.”
The man understood to be hit by a stray firework said he didn’t want to talk about the incident.
Some locals who attended the previous day’s fireworks display claimed it was misfiring then as well.
Event organisers the next day cancelled the carnival’s remaining fireworks shows while authorities investigated what went wrong.
“We note that all permits had been filed and no fault has been placed on the fireworks operator,” organisers said in a statement.
“It has been confirmed that it the issue was relating to a manufacturer fault of the fireworks.
“We are truly sorry this incident occurred and that it impacted some people’s time at the Jimboomba Family Carnival.
“Your safety and enjoyment are always our utmost priority, and we take these matters very seriously.”
Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ), the state’s fireworks authority, is investigating the incident.
“We have given notice to the fireworks operator and contractor to cancel the upcoming planned displays at the Jimboomba site,” a spokesperson said.
“We take the safety of the community very seriously and that is why there are such strict laws and requirements in Queensland when it comes to fireworks.”
Under legislation, fireworks contractors are required to notify RSHQ of upcoming fireworks displays.
Mayor Jon Raven clarified the Jimboomba Family Carnival was not a Logan City Council event.
“… no one wants to see anything like this happen,” he said.
“The event organisers have announced there won’t be any fireworks for the rest of the carnival.
“I want to thank the local State MP Linus Power for getting Resource Safety and Health Queensland involved so this matter can be fully investigated.
“The department has been using local social media groups to connect with people who said they were at the event.
“I’ve never seen that before, which is a fantastic initiative and a credit to the government.”
