SkyFest firm’s safety all-clear

The pyrotechnics company used for the City of Bunbury 2018 SkyFest Australia Day celebrations in which several people were injured in a firework mishap has been cleared.

Five people were injured when a stray firework landed on a footpath about 20m from the Koombana Drive bridge during the Australia Day display, which was watched by about 40,000 people.

Cardile Fireworks — which put on the display for Bunbury City Council — has been given the all-clear after a defective firework was found to be the cause of the incident.

A full investigation was launched by the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety with help from the council.

Cardile Fireworks was given the all-clear last month.

It comes as the same company has been engaged for this month’s SkyFest celebrations with Bunbury Mayor Gary Brennan expressing confidence in the decision.

“The Department of Mines Industry Regulation and Safety were happy with Cardile’s response to the incident and for all intents and purposes have reconciled it as an accident,” Mr Brennan said.

“It is my understanding the company will be using smaller fireworks to further increase spectator safety whilst maintaining the same exclusion zones as 2018.”