Fireworks thrown at fire engines and through window as extent of trouble revealed

Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service has shockingly revealed it responded to more than double the number of incidents on Bonfire Night 2024 as it did in 2023. Celebrations on Tuesday, November 5 were marred by a number of dangerous occurrences across the city and county.

One, in Midland Way in Radford, was a repeat of last year, as youths shot fireworks at each other in a self-staged "war" outside student accommodation blocks. Police had vowed for extra security amid concerns that last year's scenes in the area could be copied, but it did not stop the scary scenes from erupting, with pyrotechnics being fired horizontally at around 10.20pm.

The fire service also revealed that crews attended a fire in two bins outside the student accommodation at around 12.20am, and that 40 minutes later they were called to a fire in a kitchen after a firework was shot through a window. When emergency service personnel got there, they had fireworks thrown at them, as did people on the street.

Luckily, no injuries were reported from Midland Way. But the police have issued a warning against the "appalling behaviour" after an investigation was opened.

Chief Inspector Mike Ebbins said earlier today: “I want to reassure the community that a thorough investigation is underway, and we are pursuing several lines of inquiry that will ensure that those responsible are tracked down, caught and dealt with.

“We won't tolerate such appalling behaviour which puts people at risk of harm, including our officers and fellow blue light colleagues who were in attendance trying to keep people safe, and we'll seek to prosecute anyone involved. There will be increased patrols in the affected areas tonight, providing reassurance for the public, as we continue with our investigation.

“While our inquiries remain ongoing, we’re urging anyone with mobile phone, social media footage or dashcam footage that could assist our investigation to please contact Nottinghamshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 452 of 5 November, or alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

In other incidents, the fire service was called out to fires igniting trees and bushes and caused by their improper handling, the brigade said. Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service Group Manager Tom Staples, said: “Although fireworks are exciting, they can also be extremely dangerous.

“Luckily the firework and bonfire related incidents we have attended over the past few days have been quickly resolved due to the work of our brilliant emergency services however they can easily get out of hand, especially when they are landing near fences, and in bushes.

“The safety of the public, especially in areas where large numbers of students live, is one of our top priorities. We cannot stress enough the importance of being responsible when it comes to using fireworks.

“We also do not tolerate abuse towards our staff, or our emergency vehicles. Such reckless behaviour puts others at risk and also delays our response to other incidents around the county. These actions are being taken extremely seriously by our colleagues at Nottinghamshire Police.”