Despite Bonfire Night fires falling by two-thirds over the last five years,  London Fire Brigade have called for continued common sense around lighting large fires.

Last year's 5th of November was the quietest on record for the capital's firefighters but they still attended 154 fires or one every 10 minutes.

LFB's Head of Operations, Prevention and Response Dave Brown said: "We've seen a dramatic drop in bonfire night incidents but it is still shocking that we were called to one fire every 10 minutes on bonfire night last year.

"Many of the Bonfire Night fires we see can be easily prevented so we want people to use some common sense in a bid to reduce the number of fires. Working alongside the police and local councils we hope to further reduce fires over this period."

In 2006, fire crews attended around one fire every three minutes on bonfire night and despite the downward trend, fire chiefs are urging people not to be complacent and use common sense over the Bonfire Night weekend.

The Brigade's top five Bonfire Night tips are:

1. Attend organised displays - they're much safer than holding your own
2. Never leave bonfires unattended and make sure they're fully out before leaving them
3. Light bonfires well away from sheds, fences, bushes and trees The best way to enjoy Bonfire Night is to attend an organised display.
4. Never go back to fireworks once they are lit. Even if a firework hasn't gone off, it could still explode.
5. Never use flammable liquids to start a bonfire.

Posted 31/10/2012 by richard.hook@pavpub.com