With Bonfire Night fast approaching, Cleveland Fire Brigade is urging the public to help reduce the intense pressure on emergency services by attending organised firework displays instead of holding private events at home.
We are also reminding residents to bring in their wheelie bins as soon as possible after collection. Wheelie bin fires are often started deliberately, and they can quickly spread, putting people, property, and lives at risk.
Lee Brown, Assistant Director of Prevention, Protection and Planning said: “Each year, this period sees a sharp rise in emergency incidents, many of which are entirely avoidable. Between 13th October and 10th November 2024 alone, there were 572 deliberate fires recorded across the Brigade area.
Unattended bonfires, private firework parties, and illegal fly-tipping are among the leading causes of these fires. Not only do they pose a serious risk to lives and property, but they also place a significant and avoidable strain on already stretched fire crews during one of the busiest times of the year.”
Lee continued:
“Fly-tipped rubbish, overflowing bins, and bonfires built in unsafe locations can all act as fuel for deliberate fires, which spread quickly and are harder to control. These fires tie up critical resources and can put homes and lives at risk.”
“One of the simplest and most effective ways the public can help is by knowing their bin day and storing waste securely. Keeping rubbish away from homes, fences, and outbuildings makes it far less likely to be used as fuel for a deliberate fire, something many people don’t realise is a major contributor to the surge in incidents around Bonfire Night. Deliberate bin fires cause a significant strain on fire services and preventing them is a quick and easy win that can make a real difference.”
To support community safety and minimise incidents, we are asking members of the public to:
- Attend an organised display – These events are professionally managed, far safer, and reduce the number of firework-related callouts we receive.
- Avoid private firework parties – Private firework displays can easily lead to injuries and small fires, especially when setup is unsafe or handled without experience, adding unnecessary strain on emergency services.
- Don’t fly-tip or let rubbish pile up – Waste can be used in an arson attack and can fuel accidental fires.
- Know your bin day and store waste securely – Keeping rubbish away from homes, fences, and outbuildings helps prevent it from becoming fuel for a fire.
- Report unsafe fires or anti-social behaviour – Early reporting allows us to respond before incidents escalate, protecting your community and reducing fire service demand.
Celebrations like Halloween, Bonfire Night, and Diwali are a time for fun and we want to make sure our community can enjoy them safely. Please celebrate safely this fireworks season by attending one of the organised displays happening in our local area. You can find details of events near you, including times and locations, on our Fireworks Events and Safety page on this link: Fireworks Displays
If you’ve seen or heard something that doesn’t seem right, you can share what you know anonymously. Just visit www.firestoppersreport.co.uk to fill in an anonymous form or call 0800 169 5558.
