A small firework rocket that someone launched sideways instead of up exploded within a few meters of me.

I say small but I mean tiny. One of those that are sound only, no visuals.(Why are those even a thing?)

Bottle rockets I assume. I had a lot of fun with them as a kid. Thankfully no one involved with those got hurt.

https://www.nhpyro.com/black-cat-bottle-rockets.html