Warning as fireworks used to set fire to people's homes

Merseyside firefighters say they have been called to a number of blazes as they urge people to report attacks and keep wheelie bins away from properties

Residents are urged to immediately report any fires in properties caused by fireworks leading up to Bonfire Night.

Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service has been called out to a number of house fires that have been started deliberately by fireworks.

Residents are urged to call 999 in the event of a fire and to report fires caused by fireworks immediately.

All deliberate fires attended by Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service (MF&RS) are investigated.

However, if a call is made at a later stage about an incident, the evidence may have been removed or destroyed which can hamper a fire investigation.

Watch Manager Ian Mullen, MF&RS Arson Reduction Coordinator, said: “Deliberately setting fires is arson and we work with the police to identify those responsible.

“Any fireworks thrown at a property or in a residential area puts people in danger of a serious injury. This behaviour can cause a serious fire and result in severe damage to a property.

“If anyone does experience a fire caused by a firework, I would urge them to call 999 and to report the incident immediately. This will help our Incident Investigation Team to gather valuable evidence to find those responsible.”

Residents can also prevent their wheelie bins being targeted by only putting them out on the day of collection and bringing them in immediately after the rubbish has been collected. Wheelie bins should never be stored near windows or doors.

Fire crews were called to reports of youths throwing aerosols on to a fire on a grassed area at 7.19pm on Tuesday, October 20. Firefighters were called to Brook Hey Drive, Northwood in Kirkby. Firefighters used a hose jet to extinguish the fire. The fire had been started deliberately.

One fire appliance attended and firefighters had left the scene by 8.55pm. It is one of a number of deliberate fires attended by firefighters this week.

Watch Manager Ian Mullen added: “We have been called out to incidents where young people have been injured in Merseyside by aerosol cans exploding in dangerous street bonfires. Aerosol cans can cause serious injury and can blind people, including those who have thrown the aerosol on the fire.”