Prevention Better Than Cure On Bonfire Night

As Bonfire Night draws near, crews from Avon Fire & Rescue Service will be taking to the streets to ensure the community can celebrate Bonfire Night safely.

As Bonfire Night draws near, crews from Avon Fire & Rescue Service (AF&RS) will be taking to the streets to ensure the community can celebrate Bonfire Night safely.

This week firefighters in South Gloucestershire are offering advice to the public and will also be on the lookout for abandoned furniture and rubbish which could be targeted by arsonists.

Through the Safer & Stronger Communities Strategic Partnership, AF&RS is working with South Gloucestershire Council's StreetCare Team to remove items that could be targeted by fire
starters.

Rick Hanratty, AF&RS Station Manager at Kingswood said: "Bonfire Night can be a busy night when we deal with household bonfires that have got out of control or malicious fires that have been started in public places.

"If you're having a bonfire you can take a few simple steps to make your November 5 safe. Position the fire well away from buildings, sheds and bushes, make sure you have water
nearby and to keep the children well back. If you do have a problem, don't try to deal with it yourself, call 999 immediately.

"This year we've also been out identifying potentially dangerous bonfires as they're being built. Fires that involve general waste including, aerosols, needles, tyres and items
that produce toxic smoke present a genuine risk to the community and the fire crews that ultimately have to deal with them."

If you are worried about a bonfire being built in your area please call into your local fire station or contact StreetcareTeam on 01454 868 000.