Residents urged to attend organised bonfires

Cheshire firefighters want residents to stay safe this bonfire weekend by urging them to go to organised displays.

The bonfire period is still the busiest time for firefighters, often dealing with nuisance deliberate fires, but we don’t want to pour water on the fun that this exciting time of year brings.

Station Manager Andy Gray, Deliberate Fire Reduction Manager for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “This is always a busy time of year and we work closely with police, local authorities and youth projects, to educate and involve the local community in a bid to keep communities as safe as possible and the number of incidents of deliberate fires as low as possible.”

Most injuries throughout the bonfire period occur as a result of people building their own bonfires, and setting off their own fireworks or misusing them.

Andy continued: “Safety is the number one priority and our advice would always be to go to an organised display. People might see starting a small bonfire or setting off fireworks as a bit of harmless fun, but fire is unpredictable and can easily get out of control and spread, and accidents can happen with fireworks.

“We will be monitoring high activity areas throughout this period. You can also do your bit to reduce the likelihood of deliberate fires by ensuring wheelie bins and rubbish are not left out in the open, once your bin has been emptied please ensure you put it away securely.”

Superintendent Richard Rees from Cheshire Constabulary said: “We want everyone to enjoy themselves over the bonfire period and it’s a great time for families to have fun, but sadly there are always a few people who spoil it for others.

“Our officers, PCSOs and Specials will be out over the bonfire period and will provide a visible presence on the streets dealing with incidents of criminal damage, but people can call us on 101 if they have any concerns. Anyone in possession of fireworks deemed to be acting in an anti-social manner will have their fireworks confiscated by officers and action may be taken if any offences are disclosed.”

Anyone with information about arson incidents across the county can call police on 101 or alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

To view a list of organised bonfires and fireworks displays in Cheshire please visit our Bonfire safety page http://www.cheshirefire.gov.uk/home/bonfire-night-list-of-bonfires-in-cheshire

To report unlit dangerous bonfires in Cheshire please use the number below to report any unlit dangerous bonfires that require removal:

In Cheshire East report unlit dangerous bonfires by calling 0300 123 5011