Fire service issues warning ahead of Bonfire Night

Previous years have seen fireworks and bricks thrown at fire engines

Author: Harry BoothPublished 8 hours ago

Ahead of Bonfire Night, Merseyside Fire and Rescue say any attacks on their staff will not be tolerated.

In previous years, objects such as bricks and fireworks have been thrown at fire crews as they are responding to bonfire-related incidents.

MFRS Group Manager for Community Safety, Mark Sopp, said:

"If a fire engine is damaged, it will have to be taken out of service, meaning it cannot respond to another emergency, that may be potentially life-threatening. Just remember, it could be your loved ones who need that fire engine.

“An attack on fire crews is an attack on your own community. All fire engines carry CCTV cameras and footage will be passed on to Merseyside Police. This is not an acceptable way to treat your emergency services and this will not be tolerated."

The service has also issued advice to help keep people safe.

They are to:

  • Make sure only adults light bonfires and fireworks
  • Not put fireworks in pockets, throw them, or return to a firework once it has been lit
  • Only light one sparkler at a time and to wear gloves while doing so
  • Keep children and pets away from bonfires
  • Report any build-up of bonfire materials
  • Never give combustible materials to anyone, particularly young people
  • Be respectful of emergency services
  • Dial 999 in an emergency

Mr Sopp added:

"We’re asking everyone in Merseyside to help us help them, by taking small actions to reduce the amount of deliberate fires our firefighters will attend during the Bonfire period this year. If our firefighters are responding to a wheelie bin fire or bonfire, it prevents them from responding to another, potentially-life threatening incident. Not only that, but secondary fires can spread quickly and put lives and nearby properties at risk.

"Please help us help you by having conversations with young people, your family and friends about understanding the impact of deliberate fires on our Fire Service and the wider Merseyside community."

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