A man has been taken to hospital with serious facial injuries after fireworks reportedly exploded in his face a Cessnock.
Paramedics and firefighters were called to Stephen Street just after 3pm on Monday, where they found a man aged in his 30s wounded inside a drain.
Emergency crews were told the man was injured when the fireworks he was holding exploded.
They pulled the man from the drain and treated him at the scene for facial burns and fractures before taking him to John Hunter Hospital in a serious but stable condition.
NSW Ambulance Inspector Jeff Gillam said paramedics faced "an extra level of difficulty" treating the man given where he was found.
"Fireworks are meant to be enjoyed as part of large displays that captivate audiences and allow families and friends to share in the fun - if not handled properly can be detrimental to people and damage property," he said.
"The consequences of handling fireworks or any explosives can be catastrophic and can cause horrific burns and injuries. People really need to think if a moment of fun is worth the possibility of a life changing injury."
