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Merseyside firefighters called to over
50% fewer bonfire related incidents than in 2016
FIREFIGHTERS attended over 50% fewer
emergency calls relating to bonfires across Merseyside on Bonfire Night, Sunday,
5 November 2017, than on the same date in 2016.
Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service attended 17 bonfire related fires between
12.01am and 12pm on Sunday, November 5 2017 as opposed to 41, on 5 November
2016. Liverpool and Wirral had the highest number of bonfire related incidents,
with fire crews attending 6 in each borough, with Sefton recording the next
highest number with 3 incidents involving bonfires. Firefighters were called to
2 incidents involving bonfires in Knowsley, however no bonfire-related incidents
were reported in St Helens.
Deliberately set fires (including those relating to bonfires) were also down
across Merseyside, on 5 November 2017, from 81 in 2016 to 60 in 2017, marking a 25.9%
reduction in call outs overall. Sefton saw the largest decrease, from 17
deliberately set fires in 2016 down to just 5 in 2017, with St Helens seeing the
next largest reduction, from 13 down to 2. Altogether, firefighters were called
to 60 deliberately set fires (including bonfire related fires) across Merseyside
on Sunday, 5 November 2017, as opposed to 81 on the same night in 2016. Crews
also attended 3 incidents related to fireworks (2 in Liverpool and 1 in Sefton),
down from 4 incidents in 2016.
Station Manager Paul Kay, arson reduction co-ordinator for Merseyside Fire &
Rescue Service, said:- "We are pleased that the vast majority of
people across Merseyside enjoyed a safe Bonfire Night.
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service has been involved in extensive planning and
partnership work with Merseyside Police, local Councils, Schools and businesses
in the run up to Bonfire Night, issuing a wide range of safety messages to help
reduce nuisance fires and help keep people safe.
In recent weeks, our firefighters and prevention teams have been out in
communities clearing away hazardous rubbish and fly tipping, which could have
been used as fuel for fires, and promoting the safe storage of wheelie bins to
help prevent them becoming targets for arson.
Crews have also visited Primary and Secondary Schools across Merseyside to
spread safety messages and give information about the law surrounding fireworks.
It's very encouraging to see that the planning and partnership work we have
carried out has had a positive effect this year. We are very thankful to our
communities for taking on board all our safety messages and advice."
As we move in to winter, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service urges everyone to
make sure they have at least 1 working smoke alarm in their home and to ensure it is
tested regularly.
For free fire safety advice or to request a home fire safety check, call:- 0800
731 5958.
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service also provides free smoke alarms for Merseyside
residents aged 65 or over.
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