Bonfire Call-outs Reduced As Advice Heeded

Emergency call-outs to traditional pre-Twelfth eleventh night bonfires have reduced by almost two thirds in the past three years.

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) believes this is because their safety message getting through.

Chief Fire Officer Peter Craig (pictured) said: "I think it is down to education."

He said the NIFRS "are out and about engaging with the local community to explain to them the risks".

Already, the 999 service has been reminding people to be responsible and stay safe when building and attending bonfires.

A statement revealed that last year, NIFRS attended 28 bonfire related incidents on the 11th July.

"Traditionally the 11th July has been one of the busiest nights of the year for NIFRS however I'm pleased to report that over the past three years the number of bonfire related incidents we have been required to deal with on the 11th night has steadily decreased."

He said there was a 61% reduction over three years from 2009-2010 and again underlined that firefighters are not out to spoil anyone's fun as their job is to protect life and property from the dangers of fire.

The Chief Fire Officer continued: "Although I welcome this reduction we can not become complacent and that is why I want the public to follow our Bonfire Safety Advice when building and attending bonfires.

"Bonfires can easily get out of control if they are not built safely and properly supervised.

"Bonfires should be kept to a manageable size and sited in a clear unenclosed space at a safe distance from buildings and overhead cables.

"As a rule of thumb the bonfire should be a minimum distance of five times its height from property.

"The bonfire should not contain any potentially hazardous material and never use flammable liquids such as petrol or paraffin as these can produce explosive vapours," he said, but insisted, "should your Bonfire get out of control dial 999 immediately".

He also asked for revellers to be on good behaviour: "I would also appeal to people not to threaten or attack our Fire Crews responding to emergency calls in the vicinity of bonfires.

"I'm asking the community for their support to ensure that firefighters are able to carry out their job without fear of attack or harassment.

"We simply ask that you act responsible, stay safe and respect the job that your local firefighters do in protecting our community."

(BMcC/GK)