Coronavirus: Campaign to light sky lanterns in show of solidarity for NHS denounced by National Fire Chiefs Council
A campaign encouraging the public to light sky lanterns in a show of solidarity for NHS workers has been denounced.
The National Fire Chiefs Council warned the initiative was misguided and should be highly discouraged at a time when all emergency services are under increased pressure.
It went further to say the highly flammable lanterns would likely cause an increase in wildfires because of the recent improving weather and urged communities to look for other ways to support NHS workers.
Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service has reiterated the fire council's warning.
Lanterns are a fire hazard; they pose a risk to livestock, agriculture, thatched properties and hazardous material sites. Almost 90 local authorities across the UK have banned the use of lanterns.
Roy Wilsher, chair of the fire chief council, said: “While I fully understand people wanting to show their support to the NHS, I would encourage people to find a different way to do this.
“NFCC does not advocate the use of sky lanterns and we do not believe they should be used under any circumstances.
“All emergency services are currently under unprecedented pressure due to COVID-19, and I am concerned this type of activity could not only put additional pressure on the fire service, but further strain on the NHS.
“If a sky lantern causes a fire, it could see firefighters spending valuable time dealing with what could be a complex and large-scale incident. Time that could be spent supporting vulnerable people in the community, as part of the fire service's response to covid-19.”
A fire in the West Midlands caused by a lantern saw 39 fire appliances and more than 200 firefighters in attendance to tackle it over a number of days.
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