A seven-year-old boy has died in Dunn, North Carolina, after a neighbour set off an illegal firework that shot sideways through the window of his family's apartment and started a fire. The incident, which happened just before 11pm on 4 July, has prompted local police to condemn the reckless use of fireworks and highlights the dangers of illegal pyrotechnics during Independence Day celebrations.

The victim was named as Cashmere Elijah Parker. The neighbour, 35-year-old Brittany Armstrong, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter, burning buildings and possession of pyrotechnics. Surveillance footage reportedly shows fireworks exploding just feet off the ground before one veered towards the apartment window. Armstrong appears to have fled the town and was arrested three days later at a hotel in Fayetteville. She is being held on a $75,000 bond and made her first court appearance on Wednesday, with a further hearing scheduled.