Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service was kept busy on New Years Eve and into New Years Day attending 12 fires started by fireworks that caused damage to homes and property across the county.
The fires, one before midnight and 11 after, had either been ignited by carelessly disposing of fireworks and packaging, or, more alarmingly, had been started deliberately.
One incident on Landimore Road, in Northampton, saw crews from Moulton called to a property at 12.42am, where disposed of fireworks caused fire damage to bins, fencing and a car. The fire was put out by firefighters using a hose-reel jet.
The evening also saw fireworks boxes set on fire and left in parks on Mill Road, in Kettering, and Briar Hill Playing Fields, in Northampton, which could have caused serious harm to members of the public.
Neil Sadler, Area Manager for Operational Support said: “These fires have potentially taken resources and crews away from other incidents and people that needed our help. They have also caused considerable damage to homes and property that ultimately could have been avoided.
“Fireworks are live explosives that can cause serious harm and damage when used incorrectly, and it is concerning that we have seen incidents where people have set fire to them in a dangerous manner deliberately.
“While we want people to have fun, we really want to urge members of the public, that if they are going to have their own fireworks display, to please follow the manufacturer’s instructions and to dispose of them carefully and responsibly.”
