October fires prompt urgent warnings not to misuse fireworks ahead of fireworks season

London Fire Brigade has issued an urgent warning about the dangers of fireworks misuse ahead of Halloween, Bonfire Night and Diwali, following a spate of fireworks incidents in the capital this month.

In the past four weeks, firefighters have already attended about two fireworks-related incidents per week on average. This includes:

• Reports of fireworks out of control in a public space in Battersea
• Fireworks lit from a balcony in Stockwell
• Fireworks misuse in Northolt
• Misused fireworks in Penge
• Reports of youths setting off fireworks in Notting Hill
• Fireworks misused and causing heavy smoke in a flat in Southwark
• Fireworks misused in Blackheath

most notably, firefighters tackled a fire at a secondary school in Enfield last weekwhich is believed to have been caused by a group of youths playing with fireworks. Fortunately, no one was injured, but the incident served as a stark warning to Londoners about the dangers of fireworks misuse.

To raise awareness, the Brigade released footage of the incident captured as part of their The GoodSam appin the hope that it will encourage the public to exercise caution during the upcoming fireworks season.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police Service said: “An investigation was recently launched following a fire at a school in Enfield on 23 October. This fire appears to have been deliberately started by a group of youths aiming fireworks at the building and our inquiries are ongoing.

“We continue to work with the London Fire Brigade, local schools and partners, including councils, to highlight the dangers of fireworks at this time.

“Officers will continue to be on patrol throughout Halloween and the fireworks night to respond to reports of anti-social behaviour.”

Deputy Commissioner for Prevention and Protection Craig Carter said: “It is really worrying for us to see so many fireworks incidents caused by people deliberately using fireworks over the last few weeks.

“As we enter the time of year when fireworks are more readily available and used for celebrations, we urge the public to think twice before purchasing fireworks and consider attending an organized display. Parents should also talk to their children about the dangers of playing with fireworks.

“Our priority is to keep Londoners safe, but when people misuse fireworks it takes resources away from other emergencies in the capital.

“Fireworks are explosive and as such must be treated with respect and used only in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and Fireworks code. Misusing fireworks can seriously injure you or your loved ones.

“If you are a registered seller with a special license to sell fireworks, it is illegal to sell fireworks to anyone under 18. You can be fined an unlimited amount and imprisoned for up to 6 months for the illegal sale or use of fireworks.

“If you choose to use fireworks privately, you should only buy safe CE-marked fireworks and not throw them or point them at other people, animals or property.”

The brigade also today revealed new data which ranks Tower Hamlets as London’s busiest borough during the fireworks season, with control officers receiving 685 fire-related calls to incidents in the borough since 2010. A staggering 60% of these calls only took place on Bonfire Night. , with the remaining 25% on Diwali and 14% on Halloween.

The top five boroughs also include Ealing, Newham, Enfield and Hounslow, with control officers receiving between 340 and 418 fire-related calls each during the season. Other boroughs such as Southwark, Hillingdon, Croydon, Brent, Bromley, Barking and Dagenham, Hackney, Westminster and Redbridge each saw more than 200 calls.

For more information on fireworks, campfires and candle safety, visit the London Fire Brigade website. You can also find fireworks throughout the city on the Brigade’s websitewho have been subjected to risk assessments.