Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service has urged residents and event organisers in Stone not to set off sky lanterns following the huge fire at a plastics recycling plant at Smethwick recently.
The Smethwick fire – believed to have been caused by a sky lantern – caused millions of pounds worth of damage and was fought by up to 200 firefighters, including seven crews and appliances from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue. Around a dozen firefighters suffered minor injuries or needed treatment.
The Staffordshire service says it is now increasingly concerned as grassland and vegetation across the county is extremely dry due to the current hot weather and a fire could spread rapidly.
Glynn Luznyj, head of risk reduction, said: “In spite of the huge fire at Smethwick only two weeks ago, it appears people are still lighting and setting off sky lanterns. This is of great concern as we are currently experiencing hot summer weather and many outdoor activities and events.”
“We are urging people to be sensible and not set off sky lanterns. We appreciate the lanterns look pretty and may be symbolic to some people. However, they are uncontrollable. No-one can predict where they float to and land or what they might ignite on their journey. With grassland and vegetation across the county so dry, a fire could take hold and spread very rapidly and have devastating effects on the environment, as well as put the lives of firefighters, residents, farm stock and wildlife at risk.”
CCTV surveillance footage released by West Midlands Fire Service show the moment an object, believed to be a sky lantern, floated into the Jayplas site in Dartmouth Road, Smethwick late on Sunday 30th June. In response, superstore Poundland has withdrawn all airborne lanterns from sale, a move welcomed by Fire and Rescue Services.
