Plea for safety from Guernsey's fire fighters

Monday 05 November 2018

With Bonfire night now actually upon us, the Guernsey Fire and Rescue Service are making a plea for everyone to stay as safe as possible after 11 call outs to related incidents over the weekend.

On three of those occasions the potential fires were found to be monitored so the fire service didn't have to despatch a crew, but they did have to the other eight times, with firefighters having to put fires out at some locations.

In total the weekend saw firefighters called out to:

• 3 x undergrowth fires possibly caused by fireworks
• 2 x out of control bonfires which needed dampening down
• 3 x bonfires that were being monitored by responsible persons, where no action was taken, but advice was given

The Joint Emergency Services Control Centre also received the three other calls about possible 'out of control bonfires' which did turn out to be monitored, meaning the Guernsey Fire and Rescue Service didn't have to attend.

With a number of public and private bonfire parties and firework displays expected to take place tonight, and at least one due to be held on Tuesday 6 November, the Guernsey Fire and Rescue Service is repeating its safety messages.

A spokesman recommended people follow this standard advice.

“If you are holding your own display, no matter how small, please notify your event details via gov.gg/events; this will help inform your neighbours and animal owners about potential noise. You can mark the event as 'public' if you want to encourage visitors or as 'private'."

There is also still time to update the States website with details about any public or private events, via gov.gg/events. Anyone signed up to receive alerts will be told in advance about any firework displays. 

Pictured top: Guernsey Fire and Rescue Service in action on a previous occasion.