News

Be safe and legal on Bonfire Night

Lives could be lost if people light illegal bonfires in the build-up to Bonfire Night, say firefighters.
The number of illegal bonfires which are built each year across Hull in the run-up to November 5 has fallen from 815 in 2003 to 380 last year.
But firefighters say there is still a lot of work to be done.
"Attending these nuisance fires ties up our valuable resources that can be better deployed to more serious, possibly life-threatening incidents," says Steve Duffield, of Humberside Fire and Rescue Service.
"Many residents do not realise the law is the same for Bonfire Night, and it is still illegal to have fires on public or private property.
"Even if it is only garden waste that is being ignited, as soon as it becomes a nuisance to others it is then breaking the law.
"From a safety point of view, it is far better to attend organised bonfire displays."
The number of illegal bonfires has dropped due to the work of FAB, the Fireworks and Bonfires Strategy Group, part of the Arson Task Force, which is made up of firefighters, Hull City Council, police and community wardens.
Working together under FAB, the council's waste management team can dismantle illegal fires before they are even lit, after receiving reports from wardens, fire crews and members of the public (see below how you can report a fire).
Meanwhile, the council's Trading Standards team have called for people to be extra vigilant in the purchase of fireworks.
"Always buy fireworks from approved and licensed retailers, as they are then more likely to comply with British Standards - and you would not put yourself and others at risk," said Rod Kitching, head of Trading Standards.