No Place for Tyres on Guy Fawkes Bonfires

When the young ‘uns come with open hand requesting a “penny for the guy” today, you’d better make certain the little urchins aren’t going to use their pocketfuls of loose change to acquire old tyres. The Sentinel newspaper reports that, in Tyres & Accessories’ hometown of Stoke-on-Trent, fifteen illegal bonfires – many containing the black circular objects – have been dismantled ahead of this evening’s Guy Fawkes Night celebrations. About 45 tonnes of debris has been cleared this week, including tyres and sofas, and firefighters will be on the prowl throughout this evening to offer “safety advice” if they find any illegal bonfires ablaze.

“The main aim is to stop people ending up in hospital. We understand people think it’s their area and they can have a bonfire, but anything could be getting put on them,” commented community fire safety officer Pete Hall. ” We are finding old tyres and when they’re lit, they give off toxic fumes. “Tonight, if we see a fire with tyres or something on it giving out toxic fumes, we will put it out.”

Firefighters across Staffordshire were called out to more than 100 bonfire and firework “incidents” this time last year.