'Please stop lighting bonfires during coronavirus crisis' pleads Leighton Buzzard Community Fire Station

Crew members were called to a garden on Wednesday, April 15, where they put out several mattresses, carpets, a car bumper, aerosol canisters and even firework casings.

The team was left disappointed, as just hours before, they had published the Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service 'Please Avoid Lighting Bonfires' campaign on social media.

A Leighton Buzzard Community Fire Station spokesman, said: "Unbelievably, whilst starting to edit our previous Facebook post about bonfires, we were turned out this evening [April 15] to this. Not one thing on this 'bonfire' could even pass as garden waste at the best of times.

"This fire spread to two neighbouring fences as well as causing the obvious smoke pollution.

"Several mattresses, carpets and even a car bumper were dragged out. But most worrying were the numerous aerosol canisters and even countless firework casings!

"Whilst we believe they were all 'spent' they still clearly contained residual powder - as the neighbours can testify to. Had these or the aerosol cans exploded whilst we were extinguishing the fire who knows what would have happened."

The firefighters used a hose reel and stack drags to extinguish the fire and a thermal imaging camera was used to check neighbouring gardens and an adjoining garage.

Leighton Buzzard Community Policing Team also attended.

The spokesman added: "Given that these fireworks fall in the 'semi professional' category', they require 25m clearance when lit. That gives you some idea of the power of them.

"Please refrain from lighting bonfires. We appreciate the waste recycling facilities are currently closed, but this won't last forever. 99% of the population can manage, don't be the odd one putting lives and property at risk."

The local firefighters' message is part of Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service's county-wide appeal.

A BFRS spokesman said: "This is a plea to the communities of Bedfordshire from Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service.

"We know that this is a difficult time for us all but we need to listen to what the government is telling us. Everyday life has changed and we are all feeling the impact that Coronavirus (COVID-19) has on ourselves and our communities. Because of this situation, our front line services are working harder than ever to keep our communities safe.

"On April 5, the BFRS attended 12 bonfires. Two were serious fires; one a fire in a rear garden that spread to the property. 10% of the property was damaged by fire and 50% was damaged by smoke. The other was a fire involving a large amount of building materials which was left unattended. The home owner was located and advice given by the fire service and police."

https://www.bedsfire.gov.uk/Community-safety/Outdoor-safety/Bonfire-and-smoke-nuisance-advice-Central-Bedfordshire-Council-version.pdf