Fatal Cornwall blaze blamed on banger yobs

[spot]

Originally Posted by K.Snyder

I'm assuming there is quite a contingency of people that are appealing to your government about the possibility of ridding England of "Bonfire night".

Since the 1960s, Snyder. The campaign marks its 50th anniversary this year. The idea that there was ever a past golden age of safety is difficult to substantiate.

The National Campaign for Firework Safety was started in November 1969, by a group of parents who were sick and tired of firework injuries to their children, and people' pets. The campaign wants a ban on retail sales and licensed firework displays only and a ban on imports of dangerous fireworks outside the scope of BS 7114 of which there are many. We are the longest running campaign in the country and have been supported by many MPs over the decades who presented PMBs (Private Members Bills) and PQs put down over the lifetime of this campaign.

[mrsK]

All fireworks displays in our area are controlled now.
No buying them from shops anymore.
We used to be able to buy them in Canberra but not even sure if that is legal now.

I remember as kids we would put penny bungers in mailbox's.
Very funny at the age of 12/14 not so funny now.
Not only for the person owning the mailbox & having to replace it.
More importantly how dangerous it was to ourselves & others
Live & learn.

[Ian]

Originally Posted by G#Gill

Could we not do with a more efficient Guy Fawkes today? Oops

[K.Snyder]

Since January 2005 the sale of fireworks to the public is prohibited, except from licensed traders. The Fireworks Regulations 2004 state that in England, Wales and Scotland fireworks can be sold by unlicensed traders for Chinese New Year and the preceding three days, Diwali and the proceeding three days, 15th October–10th November, to allow Bonfire Night celebrations, and 26th–31st December for New Year celebrations.

Fireworks - Environmental Protection UK

Seems to me like the first steps to take would be shortening the time period between 15th October–10th November that fireworks are prohibited to be sold from unlicensed vendors!

Until I see all category 3 and 4 fireworks banned outright I'm afraid children will get their hands on them. Sadly there will always be that "adult", as defined by society, that will buy them for kids if not willingly by sheer ignorance.

[AussiePam]

Originally Posted by mrsK

All fireworks displays in our area are controlled now.
No buying them from shops anymore.
We used to be able to buy them in Canberra but not even sure if that is legal now.

I remember as kids we would put penny bungers in mailbox's.
Very funny at the age of 12/14 not so funny now.
Not only for the person owning the mailbox & having to replace it.
More importantly how dangerous it was to ourselves & others
Live & learn.

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Canberra Online Fireworks
Canberra Online Fireworks : [Canberra Online]

Where can you buy fireworks in Canberra this Queen's Birthday Public Holiday weekend? Canberra Online brings you the best places to get your fire crackers, how to act responsibly and how to protect your pets during the long weekend.

The official Queen's Birthday long weekend is the only time of the year when members of the public are legally allowed to use fireworks. The regulations also require that fireworks may only be sold from licensed premises and not, for example, from the roadside.
Consumer Fireworks

Only Fireworks that have been registered as Consumer Fireworks can be sold to members of the public.
Who can purchase and use consumer fireworks?

Only ACT residents, who are 18 years or older, may purchase fireworks for use during the Queen's Birthday Public Holiday weekend only.
Who can sell consumer fireworks?

Fireworks retailers must have a licence to sell consumer fireworks. These licences are issued by the Office of Fair Trading.
When can consumer fireworks be used?

Fireworks may only be discharged between 5:00pm and 9:00pm on Saturday and Sunday of the Queen's Birthday Public Holiday weekend.

Fireworks cannot be used during a total fire ban. For information relating to fire bans, telephone 6207 8603.
Where can consumer fireworks be used?

Fireworks may only be purchased and used within the ACT.

Fireworks cannot be used in public streets or parks.

[oscar]

Originally Posted by spot

That's a bit extreme, kaz. They're as dangerous as a box of matches. Why pick on knives or guns? They're as dangerous as a gallon can of petrol. They're as dangerous as a polyurethane foam sofa with a burning fag end dropped down the back. They're as dangerous as a swimming pool in your back yard.

I'm in agreement with Kaz. I was going to post this myself but have been away all day. I read in the Mail today that the case is similar in some ways to the Fiona Pilkington case where her and her son were hounded by yobs before this happened. If they did Indeed, go to her house and put fireworks through her letter box or cat flap, they went there with intent. I would like to see them caught and charged with nothing else but murder, attempted murder and arson. If the youths turn out to be under the age to legally buy fireworks, then the Idiot who sold them to them should be tracked down and also charged.
It is totally un-acceptable that anyone should end their life so horrifically in the name of fire-works and fun. They are not fun Spot. In organised events, they are a joy in the hands of experienced handlers that apply the law of health and safety. In the hands of brainless morons, they the tool of death and destruction. kaz is absolutely right. In this yob culture society we live in, they are used by idiots to intimidate and cause criminal damage. I have seen It enough around here myself. I'd be happy to see them made totally illegal other than organised events.

[mrsK]

Originally Posted by AussiePam

-----------------------

Canberra Online Fireworks
Canberra Online Fireworks : [Canberra Online]

Where can you buy fireworks in Canberra this Queen's Birthday Public Holiday weekend? Canberra Online brings you the best places to get your fire crackers, how to act responsibly and how to protect your pets during the long weekend.

The official Queen's Birthday long weekend is the only time of the year when members of the public are legally allowed to use fireworks. The regulations also require that fireworks may only be sold from licensed premises and not, for example, from the roadside.
Consumer Fireworks

Only Fireworks that have been registered as Consumer Fireworks can be sold to members of the public.
Who can purchase and use consumer fireworks?

Only ACT residents, who are 18 years or older, may purchase fireworks for use during the Queen's Birthday Public Holiday weekend only.
Who can sell consumer fireworks?

Fireworks retailers must have a licence to sell consumer fireworks. These licences are issued by the Office of Fair Trading.
When can consumer fireworks be used?

Fireworks may only be discharged between 5:00pm and 9:00pm on Saturday and Sunday of the Queen's Birthday Public Holiday weekend.

Fireworks cannot be used during a total fire ban. For information relating to fire bans, telephone 6207 8603.
Where can consumer fireworks be used?

Fireworks may only be purchased and used within the ACT.

Fireworks cannot be used in public streets or parks.

Thanks Pam

[Kathy Ellen]

Noo Joisey bans fireworks being brought into the state or citizens setting off fireworks without permission.

Many northerners drive to some of the southern states to buy illegal fireworks and are often caught after they leave the Carolinas. Fireworks are taken from them and the people are fined.

Fireworks are beautiful but so dangerous in the hands of the ignorant. I once had a wee one whose hand was blown off because he picked up one of his Dad's fireworks....

[gmc]

Originally Posted by G#Gill

Once upon a time, many many years ago, 5th November was called Guy Fawkes night. With great gusto a lot of children would set about making a rag doll type of Guy Fawkes, sit it in a push chair or lean it against a fence at the side of the road where they lived, and called out 'Penny for the Guy!'. The lucky ones would collect a bit of money from passers by. Some of the youngsters would save this money so they could go with mum or dad to buy a few fireworks, so they could have a little display in their back garden on 5th November.

Now when I say 5th November, I mean ONE evening - the 5th November. The only alteration to this one date was if the 5th fell on a Sunday. then the celebration would be held the day before (Saturday) the 4th November.

I can't remember whether there were any rules and regulations about the sale or the letting off of fireworks back then, as I was only very young, but all the noise, explosions, bonfires etc. happened on the ONE day. Not a few weeks before that date, not every night, not days and days after that date. Children got as excited about Guy Fawkes night as they were about Christmas !

There would be bonfires and fireworks lit in a lot of gardens, back then, and people would make hot dogs to eat and roast chestnuts, baked potatoes in the bonfire etc. etc. It was a magical night !

Everybody knew that 5th November would be noisy, and would be prepared. They would be able to make arrangements for their pets. to minimise distress. They knew it would be for only the ONE night, and that the noise would not go on for very long either - it was usually quiet by about 10 o'clock.

Firework night these days is an absolute free-for-all, with explosions occuring every night for a couple of weeks before the actual 5th, and several weeks on many nights after the 5th. Pets are terrified, and I shudder to think what the poor 'wild' creatures and the animals in the field feel.

People, I'm afraid, nowadays have made this occasion an anti-social and in some cases a very dangerous activity.

I'm also afraid to say that it is mostly down to the younger element of society, who seem to be totally unaware that they are messing with explosives that can injure and even kill people. They treat it all as a huge joke to throw lit fireworks at each other, or worse (as per the news item in the OP).

If 5th November was, in fact, just on the 5th November like all those years ago, I'm sure that nobody would argue about it. The children would be able to enjoy the celebration much better. But people are not like that any more are they? Responsibility seems to be a rare commodity. Consideration for others is no longer in a lot of peoples' minds. There is also the element of 'I just want to cause as much discomfort to people as I can, cos it gives me a buzz'

This is why so many people are 'fed up' with all the noise, all the yobs running amok on the streets shooting rockets at each other, causing people not to dare to venture out of their houses. Causing people extreme concern for their poor pets, night after night after night.

I'm afraid 'Bonfire Night' has become something which causes more fear and apprehension than fun.

That is why I, personally, believe that all firework displays should now be on organised and licenced sites, and yes including all the hassle from Elf and Sufty. Not on general sale to the public, because a lot of the public are just not responsible enough.

Sad, but true, the days have nearly gone now when a family can have a 'Bonfire Night' party in their back gardens. Thanks to the yob element in our society.

Just for once i agree with you. It's not just guy fawkes it's now christmas and new year as well and it goes on and on. For about a week at a time i can't take the dog out for a walk. Because they are so common people don't of them as dangerous it's doubtful the morons that did this didn't think there would be consequences beyond someone getting a fright.

posted by ian

Guy Fawkes is one of my heroes and they burn his effigy in some barbaric ritual from the dark ages

He wanted to restore an absolutist catholic monarchy. Why on earth would he be anyone's hero? One of the first religious terrorists to try and blow people up en masse. He wasn't a hero-we remember him because of what he was trying to do and what he stood for. Maybe we need to remind ourselves the reasons for the celebrations is that he failed in his dastardly plot.

It's ironic that he has somehow become an anti establishment hero standing up for liberty.

Guy Fawkes' blog of parliamentary plots, rumours and conspiracy

[oscar]

Originally Posted by gmc

Just for once i agree with you. It's not just guy fawkes it's now christmas and new year as well and it goes on and on. For about a week at a time i can't take the dog out for a walk. Because they are so common people don't of them as dangerous it's doubtful the morons that did this didn't think there would be consequences beyond someone getting a fright.


]

There were many reports in the various tabloids yesterday that It now appears they did not think of it as some-one getting a fright. It has emerged that her son was bullied and hounded byu these yobs for a long period of time similar to the Fiona Pilkington case. She even had to move her son who had mild learning difficulties to another school to escape the bullying but It didn't stop. Eye Witnessess have apparently told police that there were three youths aged between 14 and 18 years old outside the house as It was on fire, laughing and shouting 'Shame, Shame, Shame' repeatedly. If those witnesses are correct then they knew exactly what was happening. They stood there and watched the house go up in flames probably fully ware that they were Inside. That, is NOT giving some-one a fright. If you carry out a prank and It goes horribly wrong, even at that age, you would panic and run for help. To stand outside laughing and mocking shows they went with that Intent and enjoyed the show. I find it utterly abhorant. Police also now believe that after getting her son out, she too could have got in time but she went back for her cat. ( God Bless her )
These yobs are mudering bastards if eye witness accounts are correct. I hope they rot in hell.

With fireworks being so common throughout the whole year, It is not only people who become oblivious to them but also wildlife. I went out to the foxes one night and there were fireworks going off every minute with crashing bangs. I was in no doubt that the foxes would flee but they never batted an eye lid.