News

This year, we are fully supporting the West Yorkshire Fire Service (WYFS) by asking people to attend organised bonfire events this November, instead of creating their own bonfires following safety concerns.

Our community safety team are supporting West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service in raising awareness to keep our tenants and communities safer this year. Due to the pandemic forcing cancellation of organised events, concerns have been raised that this could result in homeowners taking to their gardens for a private bonfire this bonfire night. Community Safety Manager, Gary Lumb said: “We all know that Bonfire Night is a great British tradition and brings with it a strong sense of community spirit which is very much enjoyed within all WDH neighbourhoods. However, this year we must ask all our customers to fully respect the advice and guidance given by the West Yorkshire Fire Service to refrain from having a bonfire in their garden.” He added: “We always want all our tenants, residents and their families to be safe, but also encourage everyone to protect the health and safety of our tremendous emergency services and fully support their work. These are exceptional times, and it is very important that our Fire, Police and Ambulance services are not placed at risk by responding to emergency situations that are preventable. We all hope that activities such as this can return in the way we have always known next year, but in the meantime, please do not have a garden bonfire and help keep you and your neighbours safe.” The West Yorkshire Fire Service said: “We are about to enter a very unusual bonfire period whilst the country is in the midst of tackling a pandemic. We are very conscious of the potential dangers associated with people taking to their gardens to host their own bonfire." They added: "Handling fireworks is best left to the professionals and with public events cancelled, our plea to residents this year is to not risk being injured or having to call on the emergency services or NHS at a time when they are so desperately needed in the collective fight against Coronavirus.”