Firefighters and police were targeted as they attended a blaze at Knowsley Heights last night
Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service at Knowsley Heights(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
People are calling for an outright ban on the sale of fireworks after several reports of misuse, including an incident which saw police and firefighters targeted whilst responding to a tower block fire in Huyton.
Emergency services were called out to Knowsley Heights on Primrose Drive at approximately 7pm (November 5) after reports of a fire on a fourth floor balcony, according to Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS). Firefighters quickly gained entry to the property and extinguished the fire, however MFRS released a statement soon afterwards confirming fire crews had been “targeted and attacked with fireworks.”
Knowsley Heights is owned and managed by Livv Housing and is currently in the process of being decanted. However, the Liverpool ECHO understands the decant process is far from complete and a significant number of people still live there.
Merseyside Police released a statement just before midnight, confirming it had rushed to Knowsley Heights following reports a group of youths were directing fireworks towards the buildings. On arriving, police said officers were targeted and fireworks launched in their direction. One officer was injured at the scene.
The flat block after the blaze(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Chief Inspector Kevin Chatterton said: “We will not tolerate this type of disgraceful behaviour, particularly when it involves emergency services staff being targeted in such a way. It is only by sheer good fortune that nobody was seriously injured.“
Police later arrested a 14-year-old boy on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.
As details of the incident began to emerge, Knowsley Council published a strongly worded statement from Council leader, Cllr Graham Morgan, including a post on its official Facebook account.
Cllr Morgan said: “I am shocked and saddened that our hardworking firefighters have been targeted maliciously whilst attending a call out.” Adding: “I condemn the actions of those who have needlessly risked the safety of residents and emergency workers tonight.”
The Facebook post prompted almost dozens of comments from concerned members of the local community, many of whom called for an outright ban on the sale of fireworks. Lynn Gunn commented: “Please get them banned. My dog is petrified and she’s not the only one.
“Ban them with immediate effect. Shut down fireworks shops that open all year and ban pop up shops also.”
Claire Marsden added: “The way things are going they’ll be banned. There’s a reason that guns, knives, tasers, pepper sprays etc. were banned.
“Certain people can’t be trusted, so things that can be weaponised are banned. What these [people] have done is weaponise something that was made for entertainment and cause harm to others.”
Jo McIver said: “Absolutely disgusting. Ban the sale of fireworks, it’s that’s simple. I hope these [people] are found and punished for that. Grenfell springs to mind, thanks to the emergency services for responding so quickly.”
Ronnie Birch wrote: “Never going to ban them and why will they, for a minority who can’t behave, not just on bonfire night, any other night of the year. Attacking the fire service or police when trying to do their job is unbelievable given what happened to Grenfell tower.
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service at Knowsley Heights on Bonfire Night(Image: Liverpool Echo)
“Knowsley Council could easily do organised events across the borough but probably say financially they can’t. So we’re back to square one again next year.”
This sentiment was shared by Lisa Gaffney who suggested an outright ban was not the solution: “I don’t think it’s fair to ban fireworks, there’s enough government and councils to set a bonfire up safeguard it and supervise a display.
“All fireworks are given to adults and anyone found to not follow the rules are removed. Kids love fireworks if used correctly.”
She added: “Should bring back bonfire night run by the council then because it’s getting worse each year a kids keep getting everything we had as kids taken away. It was never like this? I just hope everyone’s ok.”
In response to some of these points, Cllr Graham Morgan, Leader of Knowsley Council, said: “The local authority does not have the power to issue or enforce a ban on fireworks. There are however laws in place which restrict the sale and use of fireworks, which thankfully the vast majority of people adhere to.
“Unfortunately for the small minority who do not, and who are intent on causing harm and fear, no amount of legislation or organised events will deter them. And that is why it is so important that these people are caught and feel the consequences of their actions.
“We do not organise Council Bonfire events and haven’t for many years but we do and can support community groups who want to organise events safely. More information is available about this process on our website.”