Two men were arrested after an unauthorised fireworks display on Hammersmith bridge almost resulted in nearby buildings catching fire, it can be revealed.
The men were among a group of about 50 people, believed to be Algeria football fans, spotted by Hammersmith and Fulham council’s CCTV network near the bridge.
Some then walked to Lyric Square in Hammersmith town centre on Sunday night, where they were apprehended by the Met police.
More than 80 emergency calls were received by the London Fire Brigade at around 9.45pm on Sunday when a flare set fire to a hedge on the south side of the river.
The blaze broke out in the fields belonging to St Paul’s School. One resident said the firework could have easily hit a person or burned down a row of houses.
The Met police said there had been a “large disturbance” and confirmed two men, aged 18 and 22, had been arrested on suspicion of arson.
Some men were seen wearing Algeria football shirts but the Met could not confirm the demonstration was organised by Algeria football fans.
School staff and firefighters were quickly on the scene, The Standard was told. They were able to contain the damage to the hedge, preventing it from spreading towards nearby buildings.
It is thought that the men had gathered on the bridge, which has been closed to vehicles since 2019, to let off a “huge amount” of fireworks to mark the anniversary of the Algeria national football team.
A row of hedges caught fire, with the flames reaching 3m in height – caused by a suspected stray firework or flare.
Fire brigade sources said it was extremely fortunate that no buildings became involved in this incident.
The council’s CCTV operators were able to use the live feed from the council’s CCTV network to track the men from the bridge to Lyric Square, and alerted the police.
Two of the men were subsequently arrested on suspicion of arson after being found in possession of flares, The Standard has learned.
Six fire engines were initially dispatched to the scene, due to the volume of calls and suggestions from some callers that buildings may be involved.
Following an assessment of the situation from firefighters on scene, the response was scaled down to three fire engines and about 15 firefighters.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "We were called at 21:48 yesterday (August 3) to reports of a fire near Lonsdale Road, SW13.
“Firefighters attended and discovered a hedge fully alight. The fire was safely extinguished by crews by around 22:30. The fire is believed to have been caused by a stray firework or flare."
A spokeswoman for St Paul’s school said: “The fire was in a hedge - but the damage is very limited and only to the hedge itself.
“This is in no small part due to the quick actions of St Paul’s staff and the rapid response of the fire brigade, which prevented the fire from spreading further towards buildings in either direction.”
a large unauthorised firework and flare display from hammersmith bridge has caused a fire in the ground of st paul’s school. pic.twitter.com/tJ4y2Lqjs9
— ben weller 🪴 ✟ (@flowerpotweller) August 3, 2025
Huge fire just started in St Paul's School by some people setting fireworks off from Hammersmith Bridge pic.twitter.com/vAUAivgu73
— Harry Browne (@hwbrowne) August 3, 2025
Fire caused at St Paul’s after a flare/firework set off by a group of idiots on Hammersmith bridge hit a bush. A few metres difference and would have set a row of houses alight pic.twitter.com/WS244fClb5
— Gracie (@grakmurray) August 3, 2025
A spokesperson for Hammersmith Bridge SOS, which campaigns to restore public transport over the bridge, said: “This was terrifying, orchestrated behaviour, its flares and fireworks raining down.
“If they had landed just slightly differently they could’ve set fire easily to a row of wooden houses or killed someone.
“It shows once again how vulnerable Hammersmith bridge has become now Hammersmith’s Labour council, Richmond council, TfL and the Department for Transport all have washed their hands of it and try to pass responsibility from one to the other – no one is monitoring the bridge effectively and crime is becoming rife.”
Hammersmith and Fulham council, which owns Hammersmith bridge, said its CCTV network was instrumental in leading to the arrests. The men were able to be followed from the bridge to Lyric Square via the walkway under the A4 flyover.
The Met police said in a statement to The Standard on Monday afternoon: "At 21:47hrs on Sunday, 3 August officers and the London Fire Brigade responded to reports of a large disturbance near Hammersmith Bridge, SW13.
"It was established there had been instances of fireworks and flares being set off.
"A bush fire at St Paul’s School, Barnes, caused by the fireworks, was put out by the London Fire Brigade. There were no reported injuries.
"Two men, aged 22 and 18, were arrested on suspicion of arson. They both remain in police custody.
"Anyone with information, photos and video footage that might help police with this investigation can call 101 referencing CAD 6861/03AUG.
"To remain completely anonymous you can also call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org."
Almost exactly a year ago, Algerian football fans held an illegal firework display on the Millennium Bridge and Blackfriars bridge in central London to celebrate the anniversary of the country’s national football team.
In March, The Standard revealed that a number of ideas about the future of the bridge were discussed at a meeting of the “taskforce” designed to get the council, TfL and the Government working together.
In April, the bridge’s main carriageway reopened to pedestrians and cyclists after a £2.9m upgrade.
There is no date for it to reopen to cars and buses.
The Metropolitan Police and Richmond council have been contacted by The Standard.
