Firefighters battling to cope with surge in bonfire blazes in Northamptonshire

Number of 999 calls stretching emergency services resources county-wide
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County firefighters are battling a jump in 999 calls over bonfires during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Northants Fire & Rescue posted seven tweets in a week relating to burning rubbish and garden waste in Northampton alone — even though most of the town is covered by a Smoke Control Area banning bonfires.

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And county-wide 29 calls have been reported in a month since the coronavirus lockdown started with a series of out-of-control bonfires causing damage to trees, fences and garden buildings.

County Council recycling centres have been closed since March 23 and nearly 50,000 Northampton council tax payers have not signed up for a £42-a-year subscription service to have garden waste collected.

That has helped heap more pressure on the county's stretched emergency services.

Fire prevention manager Lisa Bryan said: "We are strongly urging people NOT to have bonfires at home.

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“In recent weeks we have seen a definite surge in the numbers of bonfires we have been called out to.

Firefighters are warning garden bonfires can easily get out of controlFirefighters are warning garden bonfires can easily get out of control
Firefighters are warning garden bonfires can easily get out of control

"They can so easily spread out of control and can have devastating consequences to surrounding property, not to mention the risk to people.

"Bonfires have also prompted calls of concern to the Fire Service from members of the public who spot smoke coming from bonfires in their neighbourhoods and believe a property is on fire.

“I also want to emphasise the importance of not burning household waste as this can produce toxic smoke and have health implications for those nearby."

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Last week, the Chronicle & Echo reported neighbours in the Harlestone Road area feared a house was on fire as firefighters from The Mounts rushed to deal with an out of control bonfire.

As well as occupying emergency services, bonfires also creates air pollution that could harm anybody nearby who may already have breathing difficulties due to Covid-19.

Repeated breaches of Smoke Control Area restrictions carries a fine of up to £1,000.

Residents are being told they can contact their local district or borough council with concerns about smoke from neighbours having bonfires on a frequent or regular basis.

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The Northamptonshire Waste Partnership is asking residents not to carry out big garden projects that might create additional waste that cannot be disposed of or safely stored at home.

The Partnership, which promotes responsible waste management on behalf of councils across the county, is also asking people to consider home composting as an alternative solution for garden waste and offering a range of discounts on home composting equipment.

Chairman, Cllr Tim Allebone, said: “We realise the changes to waste and recycling services during these unprecedented times might cause disposal issues for some, but it is more important than ever for us to be considerate of our neighbours.

“With so many people confined to their homes, it can be impossible to escape the smoke and unpleasant odour caused by a bonfire so please think of others and either stack or bag up excess garden waste, rather than burning it."

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