North West Ambulance Service, Lancashire Police and Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service urged people across Lancashire to stay safe this Bonfire Night, in a message published on 4 November 20261. The appeal follows an incident in which a four-year-old girl was hit by a firework on Elm Street in Burnley on Wednesday 5 November 2025 and was taken to hospital in a critical condition1.
Her mother said the girl had been excited to see fireworks for the first time with her father, and was put on a life support machine for a number of days1. She said her daughter remains frightened by the sound of fireworks, has ongoing checkups at the hospital and has to wear extra support clothes provided by the hospital1. Following the incident, 18 young people were brought into police stations and received community resolutions1.
"please where possible avoid organising bonfires and firework displays at home. There are plenty of organised events available for everyone to attend."
Dan Proctor said fireworks bought should be from reputable sellers and used safely and in accordance with guidance, and that nuisance fires and hoax calls take crews away from helping people and will be addressed as a criminal issue1. Chief Inspector Patrick Worden of Lancashire Police said anyone planning anti-social activity would be put before the courts, and that a plan is in place with partner agencies to tackle anti-social behaviour1. NWAS asked people to use NHS services wisely so that ambulances and 999 stay available for life-threatening emergencies1. Lancashire Fire and Rescue staff will be engaging with communities in the weeks leading up to Bonfire Night and the weekend beyond, and the emergency services will work closely together across Lancashire and the North West over the period1.
Separately, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, the Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust and North Wales Police issued a joint appeal on 30 October 20262. Paul Kay, Head of Fire Safety for North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said the number of incidents involving fireworks and bonfires attended has reduced dramatically as the public have listened to the plea to attend organised displays rather than setting off their own fireworks at home2. The service's Firework Code advice includes planning a display to finish before 11pm, buying only fireworks carrying the CE mark, keeping them in a closed box and using them one at a time, lighting at arm's length with a taper and standing well back, never returning to a firework once lit, and never using paraffin or petrol on a bonfire2. It also states that fireworks must not be set off between 11pm and 7am, except on Bonfire Night, when the cut off is midnight, and on New Year's Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year, when the cut off is 1am2.
Judith Bryce, Assistant Director of Operations for the Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust, said many injuries, particularly burns, are entirely preventable2. The trust's first aid advice for a burn is to get the person away from the heat source, cool the burn with lukewarm or cool water for 20 minutes, remove clothing or jewellery near the burnt area, keep the person warm, cover the burn with a layer of cling film or a clean plastic bag, and use painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen2. It advises calling 999 only for serious or life-threatening emergencies2. Chief Inspector Siobhan Edwards of North Wales Police said demand on emergency services rises significantly at this time of year and asked people to contact the most relevant agency by the most appropriate means2.
Why it matters for households
Bonfire Night is one of the busiest evenings of the year for emergency services, according to North Wales Fire and Rescue Service2. Households planning private displays are affected by the legal hours: fireworks must not be set off between 11pm and 7am, with the cut off extended to midnight on Bonfire Night and to 1am on New Year's Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year2. The service advises telling neighbours in advance of a firework party, avoiding really noisy fireworks and making sure noise is over by 11pm, noting that fireworks can frighten people and animals, and that the elderly and children are frequently scared and intimidated by firework noise2. It also states that if its staff feel threatened they may be forced to withdraw from a scene, delaying care for the patient and putting others at risk2. Practical guidance on fireworks, sparklers and bonfires is set out in the site's guide to fireworks, sparklers and bonfires, with wider household planning under home emergencies and official alerts covered under staying informed.
What happens next
Lancashire Fire and Rescue staff will engage with communities in the weeks leading up to Bonfire Night and the weekend beyond, and the three Lancashire services will work together across the county and the North West over the Bonfire Night period1. North Wales Fire and Rescue Service lists the organised displays it is supporting on its website, and North Wales Police directs residents to register for Community Alerts to stay updated2.
Fireworks and Bonfire Safety
