Warning over summer bonfires (From Worcester News)

Warning over summer bonfires

11:00pm Tuesday 7th August 2012 in News By Sarah Davies

A WARNING has gone out to anyone planning to light a bonfire after the fire service received several call outs in the past two weeks.

In the latest incident, Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service was called Welland Road in Upton upon Severn at about 11am today where smoke from a fire was billowing across a main road.

The service is urging anyone planning to light a bonfire to give careful consideration to both where they light it and what the weather conditions are like.

Crew Commander Ken Dodd from HWFRS said: “Smoke from this garden bonfire was blowing across the main road, presenting a potential hazard for traffic.”

Firefighters gave advice to the person in charge of the bonfire, which was lit close to a garden fence, and it was extinguished.

Householders should place bonfires well clear of buildings, garden sheds, fences and hedges and avoid burning garden waste when it is windy as the bonfire can easily get out of control.

People should also be careful if you live near a main road and keep an eye on the smoke and its direction of travel as this can pose a hazard to motorists.

Flammable liquids should never be used to start a fire and never burn aerosol cans, paint tins, batteries, tyres or foam-filled furniture.

A bucket of water or a hose should be kept nearby as a safety precaution and always call the fire service to deal with an out-of-control bonfire.
For more advice, visit hwfire.org.uk.