At a glance
• London Fire Brigade handled 831 calls on Bonfire Night — a 20% rise on last year — with a 30% increase in bonfire-related incidents
• Crews tackled fires across the capital, including a flat fire in Whitechapel, a Hackney park blaze, and a large bonfire out of control in Bromley
• Fire chiefs urged Londoners to attend organised displays and follow the Fireworks Code, buying from reputable sellers and keeping fireworks away from buildings, people, and wildlife
Firefighters have urged Londoners to follow firework safety advice after facing their busiest Bonfire Night in nearly a decade, with another hectic weekend expected.
London Fire Brigade control officers handled 831 calls on Wednesday night — the busiest Bonfire Night since 2016 and a 20 per cent increase on last year.
While the number of firework-related incidents remained steady, firefighters reported a 30 per cent rise in bonfire-related callouts.
Crews responded to a flat fire in Whitechapel sparked by a firework, a box of fireworks alight in a Hackney park, and a tree fire in Brixton Hill, among other incidents.
Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters tackled a grass fire on Garden Lane in Bromley last night, with officers working well into the night to bring the blaze under control.
No injuries were reported, but an area of felled wood was destroyed by the fire.
The caller reported that the fire started from a large bonfire out of control.
Control Officers took the first of three calls at 5.31pm and mobilised crews from Bromley and Beckenham fire stations to the scene.
The fire was extinguished at 9.48pm.
Fire chiefs are bracing for another busy weekend and have urged Londoners hosting their own displays to follow safety advice.
People have been asked to buy fireworks from reputable sellers and to keep them well away from buildings, people, and wildlife.
Assistant Commissioner Thomas Goodall said: “Last night, our Control Officers and firefighters worked exceptionally hard, handling an extremely high number of calls and mobilising wherever we were needed across the capital.
“We’re anticipating another busy weekend of celebrations, so we’re continuing to ask Londoners to help us utilise our resources wisely. Our advice is not to host your own celebrations and instead, find an organised display nearby.
“If you are going to host your own display, it’s important to ensure you are buying safe fireworks from a reputable, licensed seller with a CE safety mark. Secure them properly in the ground, and keep them far away from buildings, trees, animals and people.
“Always follow the Fireworks Code and remember there are strict laws around when you can purchase and use fireworks. Never set them off if you’ve been drinking alcohol and once a firework is lit, never go back to it.
“Disposing of fireworks safely is just as important as using them correctly. Allow fireworks to cool properly before throwing them away.
"We’re also urging people to consider if their bonfire is necessary and to take care if you’re burning waste at home.
"If you are going to light a bonfire, never leave it unattended and consider your neighbours when you do decide to have a fire in your garden.
“Make sure you build it well clear of buildings, garden sheds, fences and hedges and never use flammable liquids to start it or burn dangerous items such as aerosol cans. Always keep a bucket of water or a hosepipe nearby in case of fire.
“Always check your local authority’s advice on bonfires and follow our safety tips.”
