National Campaign for Firework Safety

Survey of Firework related events reported in web based Newspapers and other newspapers with archives available on the Internet.

  Firework Survey 2001      
Date Event Where Source Source Title Incident
7 January Front door was set on fire Benfleet This is Essex Benfleet: Anger over mystery blaze Arson
1 February Fireworks thrown at his home four times already this year. High Wycombe This is Buckinghamshire Residents plagued by fireworks Used as a weapon
26 February Youngsters packed a coconut full of explosives and blew it up Colchester This is Essex Coconut blast rocks windows Arson
9 May Firecracker was hurled into eatery Welling This is Local London Fireworks blast blamed on youths Used as a weapon
17 July Explosive fireworks displays Worcester This is Worcestershire Keeping night-time sky firework-free Complaint
23 July A firework stuffed in a dog bin Brighton This is Mid Sussex Vandals blow up dog bin Used as a weapon
27 July 'Our dog Taffy put to sleep' Melksham This is Wiltshire Sorrow over fireworks Used as a weapon
2 August Device blew out a kitchen window Enfield This is Local London Rock roadie faces being banged up Used as a weapon
3 August Sleep disturbed by "private" firework displays Wiltshire This is Wiltshire Support grows for new fireworks laws Complaint
3 August Melksham is not the only place to have fireworks at all times all through the year Wiltshire This is Wiltshire Support grows for new fireworks laws Complaint
6 August Impromptu firework displays continue to plague residents Worcester This is Worcestershire Fury as fireworks go off once again Complaint
31 August Residents are campaigning to restrict the sale of fireworks in order to protect terrified pets. Bradford On Avon This is Wiltshire Pet owners want end to fireworks Complaint
5 September I complained to the local police at 1.30am on Sunday, August 26 regarding firework "bangs" Bradford This is Bradford Letters to the editor Complaint
5 September Some people seem unable to enjoy themselves without disrupting the peace of others Bradford This is Bradford Letters to the editor Complaint
15 September Managers of a Fireworks company responsible for death Leeds This is York Managers to blame for fireworks death Firework Danger
26 September Protesters today threw fireworks at the parents Belfast Ulster TV Loyalists 'create panic' with fireworks attack Used as a weapon
27 September Firework displays in the middle of the night Davyhulme This is Trafford War fear Complaint
30 September He also hit out at older people supplying them with fireworks Northern Ireland Ulster TV Five held after firework attack on old people's home Used as a weapon
3 October The fire started, with one firework becoming embedded in the roof Merseyside Liverpool Echo Blaze wrecks church Arson
5 October Wallington residents want fireworks out of back gardens Wallington This is Local London Firework fears spark 300-strong petition Firework Danger
9 October Gardai confirmed that the Black Cat bangers....are "extremely dangerous" Ireland Irish Independent Hallowe'en warning as four children injured by 'bangers' Firework Danger
9 October Police were today examining a huge haul of fireworks seized Dormanstown ic Teesside Fireworks seized in house raid Firework Danger
9 October Family were terrorised by yobs who pushed a banger through their letter box Basildon This is Essex Family's firework terror Used as a weapon
9 October Arsonists attacked four post-boxes with powerful fireworks Huddersfield Huddersfield Daily Examiner Arson attacks on post-boxes Used as a weapon
9 October Gardai in Dublin have issued a warning about a batch of dangerous fireworks Dublin Ulster TV Firework warning Firework Danger
9 October A firework was put through a letterbox of the private quarters of a pub Clacton This is Essex Firework is put through letterbox Used as a weapon
11 October Her guide dog was attacked with fireworks Londonderry Irish News Guide dog attacked by firework thugs Used as a weapon
12 October A staggering 167 kilos of heavy duty fireworks were recovered Grangetown Ic Teesside Taking fizz out of illegal sales Firework Danger
12 October A stray firework may have left a family homeless Shiremoor Evening Chronicle Family flee home blaze Arson
13 October Anyone who believes that fireworks are harmless... should think of eight-year-old Natasha McCausland Coalisland Irish News Horrific cost of fireworks Editorial Firework Danger
13 October For weeks now the fireworks have been going off almost daily Leeds This is Leeds Siege residents 'driven mad' by fireworks Complaint
15 October Teenagers are being warned about the dangers of fireworks National News BBC News Fireworks warning for teenagers Firework Danger
16 October Youths threw fireworks at Fire-fighters Stoke Heath icCoventry 'Choose fireworks with care' Used as a weapon
17 October An attack on a West Midlands pub BBC News BBC News Sixty fireworks used in 'racial' pub attack Used as a weapon
17 October Detectives are also investigating a similar attack BBC News BBC News Sixty fireworks used in 'racial' pub attack Used as a weapon
17 October Fireworks were pushed through the letter boxes BBC News BBC News Sixty fireworks used in 'racial' pub attack Used as a weapon
17 October After a firework shot through an open window Southend This is Essex Firework terror for special home residents Used as a weapon
18 October An unexploded shell the size of a large orange fell into a garden Upton-upon-Severn ic Worcester Festival's fireworks spark council concern Firework Danger
18 October A firework expert said that if the inside of the firework hadn't been as wet as it was, it would have wiped them out Lancashire This is Lancashire Playing with fire Firework Danger
19 October The device indicates it probably contained a black powder which originated from fireworks Liverpool Liverpool Echo Nail Bomb caused pub blast Used as a weapon
19 October A youth threw a screaming firework through her South Bank shop doorway South Bank icTeesside Stop this madness Now Used as a weapon
19 October People are being told to run down the street unless they want a firework under them South Bank icTeesside Stop this madness Now Used as a weapon
19 October Firework fragments raining down from the sky Upton Water Festival Malvern Gazette Danger fears raised over firework show Firework Danger
19 October To build a storage bunker for up to 500 tons of fireworks Staplow Hereford Times Sparks fly over firework bunker Firework Danger
22 October Made safe a large firework with shrapnel packed around it North Belfast icLiverpool Children injured in sectarian clashes Used as a weapon
22 October The girls were hurt as rival factions continued to throw fireworks at each other North Belfast icLiverpool Children injured in sectarian clashes Used as a weapon
23 October A firework was put through the door of the house Burnley This is Lancashire Fireworks hurled at rescue crew Used as a weapon
23 October Fire crews came under attack from youngsters throwing fireworks Burnley This is Lancashire Fireworks hurled at rescue crew Used as a weapon
24 October Yobs used fireworks to set a derelict garage alight in Bolton Bolton This is Lancashire Firework arson Arson
24 October Fireworks were put through the letterboxes of two Redditch homes Redditch This is Worcestershire Fireworks warning to youngsters Used as a weapon
24 October Another firework was placed in the letterbox of a Church Hill home Redditch This is Worcestershire Fireworks warning to youngsters Used as a weapon
24 October Potentially lethal incidents of fireworks being let off in subways and bins Redditch This is Worcestershire Fireworks warning to youngsters Firework Danger
25 October The tonne of fireworks stashed in a lockup garage described as a "timebomb" Worcester icWorcester We might not be so lucky next time Firework Danger
25 October A grid being blown into the air in Sudden Sudden Rochdale Observer Ban fireworks from public sale, says MP Used as a weapon
25 October A post-box being blasted in Littleborough Littleborough Rochdale Observer Ban fireworks from public sale, says MP Used as a weapon
25 October A toilet being blown up in town centre pub The Regal Moon Rochdale Rochdale Observer Ban fireworks from public sale, says MP Used as a weapon
25 October Decided to leave pub along with her two young children after a series of life-threatening firework attacks Rochdale Rochdale Observer Life sentence threat for firework thugs Used as a weapon
25 October Fire-fighters have been forced to call for police protection after coming under attack from hooligans armed with lighted fireworks Manchester Manchester Evening News Fire-fighters in SOS over firework thugs Firework Danger
25 October A firecracker was shoved through her letter box Huyton Liverpool Echo Illegal fireworks seized Firework Danger
25 October Police have seized thousands of pounds worth of illegal fireworks Huyton Liverpool Echo Illegal fireworks seized Firework Danger
25 October Students reported hearing fireworks just before the fire started Glasgow Daily Record Firework Clue as blaze destroys UNI Building Arson
25 October Someone was going around selling fireworks in pubs Worcester. This is Worcestershire Petition to stamp out firework sales Firework Danger
25 October A firework was pushed through her letterbox Dewsbury This is Leeds Scare as firework is put through letterbox Used as a weapon
25 October A potentially lethal firework and `Molotov cocktail' was found Gwent This is Gwent Kids make petrol bomb Used as a weapon
26 October Police have found hundreds of thousands of illegal fireworks Co. Tyrone Ulster TV Fireworks find Firework Danger
26 October Two houses believed to have been set ablaze by children with fireworks Wirral Liverpool Echo Homes torched by fireworks Arson
26 October Merseyside police today issued a warning about an "extremely dangerous" firework on sale Liverpool Liverpool Echo Police warning over danger 'bomb' Firework Danger
26 October Was nearly blinded after thugs posted a lighted firework through her letterbox Buttershaw This is Bradford Thugs post lit firework through letterbox Used as a weapon
26 October The constant explosions and flying fireworks made it dangerous for the fire-fighters Leith Daily Record Blaze goes with a bang Firework Danger
26 October In the first swoop, £6,000-worth of pyrotechnics were recovered Huyton Daily Post Police seize 'dangerous' fireworks in dual raids Firework Danger
26 October Police seized more than £3,000-worth of fireworks, described as " extremely dangerous with the potential to cause serious injury Huyton Daily Post Police seize 'dangerous' fireworks in dual raids Firework Danger
27 October Police battled with rioters who threw petrol bombs, blast bombs and fireworks. Belfast The Mirror Soldier in Bomb Ambush Used as a weapon
27 October Fire-fighters were bombarded with fireworks and stones Brierfield This is Lancashire Police drafted in following attack Used as a weapon
28 October I was just sitting on the kerb when somebody threw a banger and it went off beside me," Ireland Sunday Life Mindlessly maimed! Banger attack agony of girl (10) Used as a weapon
30 October She was rescued from a house fire in Maghera last night, believed to have been caused by a firework Maghera Belfast Telegraph Fireworks warning after blaze at house Arson
30 October A powerful firework tore through the guttering of their home Leeds This is Leeds Terror after a rocket strike on OAP's home Arson
30 October The finale was the most horrendous, with bangs, 12 one after the other Colchester This is Essex Horses terrified by early display Used as a weapon
30 October A ban on fireworks sold over the counter after her pets were badly injured. Colchester This is Essex Call for ban over sale of firework Complaint
31 October Vandals put a firework through a bedroom window and destroyed the contents of a student's flat Childwall Liverpool Echo Youths bring rocket fear to streets Used as a weapon
31 October Gangs are hurling fireworks at passing cars Liverpool Liverpool Echo Fireworks craze warning Used as a weapon
1 November Dealing with calls over fireworks, bonfires and egg throwing and frightened animals Dublin Irish News Emergency services kept on the hop with calls over fireworks Firework Danger
1 November A post box was destroyed by a huge firework and the letters inside incinerated Lockwood Huddersfield Daily Examiner Hooligans wreak Hallowe'en havoc Used as a weapon
1 November A firework was thrown into a Huddersfield pub. Huddersfield Huddersfield Daily Examiner Firework thrown into pub Used as a weapon
1 November The majority of the attacks are by gangs of youths setting off fireworks Edinburgh Edinburgh Evening News Youths put brigade in line of fire Used as a weapon
1 November Issued a warning about the dangers of fireworks close to horses Stratford This is Stratford Upon Avon Remember, remember the horses Firework Danger
1 November Retailer alleged to have sold display fireworks to under-age children. Leeds This is Leeds Trader faces court over illegal sale of fireworks Firework Danger
1 November A gang of youngsters dropped a lit firework through the letterbox. Wickford This is Essex Hallowe'en complaints flood in as kids run riot Used as a weapon
1 November The last couple of months have seen fireworks going off every night Great Horton This is Bradford Letters to the Editor Complaint
2 November I phoned the police about kids setting bangers off in the street and was told that they need to catch them Cumbernauld Voice of Scotland Damp the Squibs Complaint
2 November A device consisting of a firework and nails was picked up by children Belfast Ulster TV Internet Children picked up device Firework Danger
2 November After two incidents where fireworks had been placed in post boxes. Watford This is Watford Fire chief's fireworks warning Used as a weapon
2 November Fireworks are dangerous and can be lethal Watford This is Watford Fire chief's fireworks warning Firework Danger
2 November A fire caused by a rocket that landed in a child's bedroom Blackley Manchester Evening News Two hurt as firework lands in bedroom Arson
2 November Put out the fire in a neighbour's home the blaze was caused by a stray firework. Charlestown Manchester Evening News Two hurt as firework lands in bedroom Arson
2 November A cat received severe burns after it was subjected to a suspected firework attack Oldham Manchester Evening News Two hurt as firework lands in bedroom Used as a weapon
2 November Fireworks have been thrown at people Alderley Edge Manchester Evening News Safety fear at Hallowe'en hotspot Used as a weapon
2 November Young vandals are hurling rocks and fireworks at vehicles Liverpool Liverpool Echo Crackdown on bus yobs Used as a weapon
2 November When fireworks were thrown Newport icWales Hallowe'en problems Used as a weapon
2 November Thugs put a lit firework through a letterbox Musselburgh Daily Record Halloween Kids' Terror Used as a weapon
2 November Throwing fireworks on to the roof of Matalan at Jubilee Sidings Weymouth Dorset Echo Firework attack at police station Used as a weapon
2 November Weymouth is being plagued by a spate of drive-by firework attacks Weymouth Dorset Echo Firework attack at police station Used as a weapon
2 November Firework thugs killed a woman's pet kitten when they pushed lighted rockets through her letter box Glasgow Daily Record Thugs Kill Pet in Firework Attack Used as a weapon
2 November Bungalow went up in flames when lit fireworks were thrown into a nearby bin Poole Daily Echo Mindless Idiots Arson
3 November A four-year-old tabby, named Jay, died after suffering severe burns and a deep, open wound in a suspected firework attack Oldham icBirmingham Cat is first casualty of firework season Used as a weapon
4 November But the banging and the noise has been going on for the last two or three months Rochdale Rochdale Observer Ban sale of fireworks before someone is killed Complaint
4 November The commercial firework, which had been left over from a party on Friday night, went off. Birmingham icBirmingham Midlands kids hurt in firework blast Firework Danger
5 November Fire-fighters have not ruled out the possibility of a stray firework causing the damage Canvey This is Essex Arson probe after workshop fire Arson
5 November The most likely explanation for the blaze was a stray firework Basildon This is Essex £50,000 damage in blaze Arson
5 November a small £3.99 firework shot sideways and hit Mrs Tregidgo's aunt Maldon This is Essex Boy, 7, hurt by firework Firework Danger
5 November One in five shops across Derbyshire have been illegally selling fireworks to children Derbyshire BBC News Online Fireworks sold illegally to children Firework Danger
6 November 30 fire-fighters battled to bring a fire under control in a row of shops. Officers suspect a firework was to blame. Earlestown Liverpool Echo Fire services kept busy Firework Danger
6 November A rogue firework went disastrously off course Huntingdon Liverpool Echo Eight injured in fireworks display Firework Danger
6 November Mindless vandals pushed a firework through a pensioner's letterbox Audenshaw Tameside Advertiser Firework attack on pensioner's home Used as a weapon
6 November Fire fighters were attacked by a young mob throwing fireworks Ashton Tameside Advertiser Fire-fighters pelted with fireworks Used as a weapon
6 November A lit sparkler pushed through a letterbox in Everard Street Crosland Moor Huddersfield Daily Examiner Busiest night of year for fire-fighters Used as a weapon
6 November Youths lobbed missiles at fire-fighters Thornton Lodge Huddersfield Daily Examiner Busiest night of year for fire-fighters Used as a weapon
6 November A lit firework stuck through a letter box at a student house in Clement Street Birkby Huddersfield Daily Examiner Busiest night of year for fire-fighters Used as a weapon
6 November A firework set alight inside a plastic bin at the entrance of school Scissett Huddersfield Daily Examiner Busiest night of year for fire-fighters Used as a weapon
6 November An elderly couple could have been killed in a firework attack North Tyneside Evening Chronicle Mayhem for 999 fire crews Used as a weapon
6 November A rocket was fired at a woman's home Brighton This is Brighton & Hove Anger at gunpowder vandalism Used as a weapon
6 November Last week in Patcham, a letterbox was blown up and a Jaguar car was damaged by fireworks. Brighton This is Brighton & Hove Anger at gunpowder vandalism Used as a weapon
6 November A lamb was found dead after fireworks were hurled into a field Brighton This is Brighton & Hove Anger at gunpowder vandalism Used as a weapon
6 November A letterbox was blown up Brighton This is Brighton & Hove Anger at gunpowder vandalism Used as a weapon
6 November A firework blew up a toilet inside the Churchill Square shopping centre Brighton This is Brighton & Hove Anger at gunpowder vandalism Used as a weapon
6 November Youths were hurling fireworks at each other across Roundhay Road and two cars were set on fire. Leeds This is Leeds Mayhem Used as a weapon
6 November The firework has gone off, it has taken off, turned round and come down Kegworth BBC News Online Surgery for boy hit by firework Firework Danger
6 November 80 youths pelted fire-fighters with fireworks at a public bonfire. Greater Manchester BBC News Online Fireworks used as missiles Used as a weapon
6 November Fireworks were thrown into an empty flat above a sports shop Earlestown BBC News Online Fireworks used as missiles Used as a weapon
6 November Four shops and two flats were destroyed in a single firework attack Merseyside BBC News Online Fireworks used as missiles Used as a weapon
6 November No longer consists of just bonny lights but includes very loud explosions York This is York Boom bang-a-bang Complaint
6 November Bonfire Night fire crews faced yobs hurling fireworks Teesside icTeesside Bonfire night yobs strike Used as a weapon
6 November Officers were pelted with fireworks Halifax icScotland Riot police patrol town centre Used as a weapon
7 November A gang of 30 youths threw fireworks at fire-fighters Mitcham This is Local London Fire-fighters hit by gang Used as a weapon
7 November Youths threw a large firework through the window of a pensioner's home Daubhill This is Lancashire Firework terror Used as a weapon
7 November Dropped a firework through the letterbox of his home Stanmore This is Local London Firework thugs target OAP Used as a weapon
7 November Narrowly avoided serious injury when a firework was thrown into the store South Ockendon This is Essex Trader vows fire won't stop him Used as a weapon
7 November Aircraft was destroyed in a £1m blaze Southend This is Essex 'Ban the deadly rockets' Arson
8 November Youths pelted a fire crew on their way to an out-of-control bonfire Winyates This is Worcestershire Yobs attack fire engine Used as a weapon
8 November After 50 tonnes of rubbish was ignited by a stray firework. Enfield This is Local London Yard blaze Arson
8 November Have gone on constantly until past 2am. Bexleyheath This is Local London Fireworks need regulating Complaint
8 November Threw what may have been a firework into the building St Helens This is Cheshire Another Store is Torched Used as a weapon
8 November By strapping a huge firework to it and setting it alight Addingham This is Bradford Firework vandals target hut Used as a weapon
9 November A lit firework was put through the letterbox at Trowbridge police station Trowbridge This is Wiltshire Firework put in police letterbox Used as a weapon
9 November A falling firework then hit another man in the mouth Burnham This is the West Country Protest after rocket hits spectator at club's fireworks display Firework Danger
9 November Incidents of blown-up post boxes, burning cars and a gutted caravan as firework vandals went on rampage. Astley This is Lancashire Fireworks 'bomb' ban demand Used as a weapon
9 November I was woken up at 2.30am by a loud explosion from a firework outside my house in Barnoldswick Barnoldswick This is Lancashire Fireworks should be left to professionals Complaint
9 November Lowton St Mary's Church Hall, suffered three smashed windows after commercial explosives were set off in the church car park Lowton This is Lancashire Fireworks 'bomb' ban demand Used as a weapon
9 November The third device smashed more windows Lowton This is Lancashire Fireworks 'bomb' ban demand Used as a weapon
9 November Ripped its own face off because of the noise of exploding fireworks Dartford This is Local London Dog tore its face off in terror at fireworks Firework Danger
9 November Cracked down on firework-throwing thugs who have brought terror to the streets Keighley This is Bradford Police purge on firework hooligans Used as a weapon
9 November Four shopkeepers have been reported for allegedly selling fireworks to people under 18 Keighley This is Bradford Police purge on firework hooligans Firework Danger
12 November A firework dropped through an air vent is thought to have caused a fire Tyldesley This is Lancashire Firework theory on caravan blaze Arson
13 November Hooligans who launched a rocket at head height Chard This is the West Country Yobs' rocket just misses Shannon, 6 Used as a weapon
15 November A rocket had blasted its way through her car windscreen. Bramhope This is Bradford Stop this menace Used as a weapon
15 November An elderly dog died in Otley after being hit by a stray rocket Otley This is Bradford Stop this menace Used as a weapon
15 November A lit firework was pushed through the letterbox Kidderminster This is Worcestershire Town flats hit by arson Used as a weapon
15 November Reports of numerous lost dogs frightened into running away by fireworks Worcester This is Stratford Upon Avon Let's restrict the use of noisy fireworks Used as a weapon
16 November What can be done about those who have been exploding ear-shattering bangers Bradford on Avon This is Wiltshire Silence is golden Complaint
16 November Banning of fireworks except at organised displays is long overdue Swindon This is Wiltshire This danger has to stop Complaint
16 November There were still fireworks being set off in Kendal - a week after Guy Fawkes Night Kendal This is The Lake District Firework terror Complaint
19 November Where I live, it's about four weeks of fireworks. Saltdean This is Mid Sussex Dog days Complaint
19 November Allowed their son to let off fireworks every night from the middle of September Mid Sussex This is Mid Sussex Banger ban Complaint
22 November The roof of a pavilion in Milnshaw Park, Accrington, blown off Accrington This is Lancashire MP calls for controls on fireworks Arson
22 November The destruction of a car, phone box and takeaway in Accrington by firework hooligans. Accrington This is Lancashire MP calls for controls on fireworks Used as a weapon
22 November The destruction of two cars in Accrington by fireworks Accrington This is Lancashire MP calls for controls on fireworks Used as a weapon
22 November A phone box in Queens Road West, Accrington, blown up Accrington This is Lancashire MP calls for controls on fireworks Used as a weapon
22 November Residents were left terrified when a commercial firework caused a series of explosions in the early hours Huncoat This is Lancashire MP calls for controls on fireworks Used as a weapon
22 November One of my twin labradors, was hit by a firework Bradford This is Bradford Tragic tale of a dog and a firework Used as a weapon
23 November One store sold fireworks illegally Wiltshire This is Wiltshire Undercover kids catch rogue traders Firework Danger
29 November To have fireworks let off for the whole month of November? Wembley Wembley Willesden Observer Restrict Sales Complaint
29 November Why do we have to have bangers? Kenton Wembley Willesden Observer Out of hand Complaint
29 November There are loud explosions every evening, too often continuing until 2am. Wembley Wembley Willesden Observer Fireworks should be restricted to displays. Complaint
29 November Vandals placed a powerful firework inside the kiosk East Grinstead This is Mid Sussex Phone box explosion Used as a weapon
29 November Thousands of pounds worth of damage was caused at nursery, when a firework was pushed through a window Bolton This is Lancashire Pupils rally round to help nursery Arson
29 November Scared by a banger and ran away on November 4. He has still not been found Stretton This is Cheshire Campaign to curb firework sale grows Firework Danger
November A phone box on Lloyd Street, had been blown up by the idiotic brats Manchester Manchester Evening News Readers Letters Complaint
November Firing rockets at one another from opposite sides of the road. Manchester Manchester Evening News Readers Letters Complaint
November I saw a car targeted while the driver was in the vehicle. Manchester Manchester Evening News Readers Letters Complaint
5 December Six faulty fireworks which did not reach their full height and fell to the ground. Sanderstead SurreyOnline Fireworks hit crowd Firework Danger
18 December Severely damaged the car and front windows in a house - was caused by an industrial mortar firework Davyhulme This is Trafford Blast rocks area Used as a weapon
20 December The intention of stealing the explosives Malvern This is Worcestershire Trio's firework break-in Firework Danger
20 December Four fireworks taped together were dropped through an Ormskirk family's letter box Ormskirk icLiverpool Fireworks in letter box Used as a weapon
  Copyright 2002 by National Campaign for Firework Safety