A four-year-old girl is fighting for her life after being struck by a firework when at least 100 teenagers let off rockets at each other.
Police said even usual Bonfire Night anti-social behaviour had “gone too far”.
Officers shared CCTV images of a masked youth suspected of lighting the firework which left the child in a critical condition in Burnley, Lancashire.
He is seen wearing a dark gilet and hooded top.
Families living close by said the violence was the “worst it has ever been” on Wednesday night.
Anyone venturing into the streets risked taking their “life into your own hands” in the Holbeck Park area of the town.
Riz Zahid, 38, said: “I’m not surprised someone has got injured.
“There were fireworks flying around everywhere. It wasn’t just the little rockets we used to have when we were kids.
“These fireworks were huge and they kept firing rockets one after another. You really did take your life into your own hands going [out] there.”
Azhar Iqbal, 50, said: “I have lived here for 22 years and this year was the worst it’s ever been. There were at least 100 teenagers running around setting fireworks off.
“They were on the health centre and business centre car parks, firing the rockets at each other.
“It looked like they had some kind of launcher and were aiming at each other. It was scary.'
Lancashire Police said it has identified a possible suspect from the CCTV appeal and is working to track down his whereabouts.
The injured girl was taken to hospital, where her condition remains critical.
Details of the child’s injuries have not been revealed.
A spokesman added: “We are aware this area has seen previous anti-social use of fireworks, but this year has gone too far.”
