Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service have reported lower than average figures for deliberate fires during the bonfire period this year.



The Service monitors the period each year from 19 October through to 6 November and has found that this year figures were down by 35% on the ten-year average across Merseyside.

During the period, firefighters attended 541 incidents of deliberate fire setting compared with a figure of 1704 incidents ten years ago during the same period in 2006. Although figures had increased from 411 incidents of this type last year, the relatively fine weather during the period and the fact that Bonfire Night celebrations took place at the weekend has been an influence.

Incidents involving fireworks have gone down this year, with only 7 incidents in comparison with 20 during the period in 2015.

Extensive planning and effective partnership work with Merseyside Police, local councils, schools and businesses have targeted fly-tipping, safe storage of wheelie bins, and encouraged a wide dispersal of safety messages during the period.

Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service has been working closely with partner agencies to reduce the risk of nuisance fires. This has included teams being out throughout the period clearing hazardous rubbish in communities, which could have been used as fuel for fires.

This year, a large amount of combustible material, which could have been used for unsafe street bonfires, was cleared as part of this work across Merseyside.

Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service prevention teams and firefighters, along with Merseyside Police, colleagues also visited primary and secondary schools across Merseyside to spread safety messages and information about the law surrounding fireworks.

Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service Group Manager Ben Ryder, said:
"We are pleased to see that the vast majority of people across Merseyside enjoyed a safe Bonfire period.

"It is particularly pleasing to see the planning and partnership work undertaken having a positive effect.

"Following the Bonfire period and as we move into winter, we would urge the public to continue to respond to our safety messages, check your smoke alarms regularly and take steps to protect your homes and families from fire."

For free fire safety advice or to request a home fire safety check, call 0800 731 5958.

Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service also provides free smoke alarms for Merseyside residents aged 65 or over.