London house fires sparked by Bonfire night and Diwali celebrations

Two houses burst into flames on the weekend while Londoners across the capital celebrated Guy Fawkes Night and Diwali.On Saturday night, a firework sparked an accidental fire in Chingford. Half of the ground floor and first floor and part of the roof of a terraced house in Heaton Close were damaged. Officers first received called at 10:36pm and the incident was over by 12:04am.A candle “being used for religious celebrations” caused a house fire on Parkfields in Croydon on Sunday. Candle at the house in CroydonLondon Fire BrigadeA man and a woman left the property before 25 firefighters arrived. They were assessed at scene by paramedics. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus rescued a dog from the building.Part of the first floor of an end-of-terrace house was damaged by fire. Part of the front of a neighbouring property was also damaged.The London Fire Brigade pleaded with Londoners not to celebrate fireworks season at home on the weekend after their busiest Bonfire Night in a decade.On Thursday, November 5, the fire service took the highest number of emergency Bonfire Night calls since 2016 with 832 call outs. Some of those calls included trees or grass being set alight from fireworks in Islington, Battersea and White City, as well as out of control bonfires across the city. Two people were filmed being cuffed by police in Southall, west London, for letting off a barrage of fireworks from the pavement on Sunday evening at around 7:40pm. It is illegal to let off fireworks in the street, regardless of whether it is for a special occasion Read MoreA Met Police spokesperson said: “Police on patrol were alerted to two men releasing fireworks on South Road, Southall. They were issued with penalty notices and dispersal orders by officers.”Police were also called to Telegraph Hill in Lewisham on Bonfire Night at around 8pm, following reports of fireworks being discharged by young people. No injuries were reported and no arrests were made but enquiries are ongoing.On Sunday, there were 820 calls made to the brigade, 49 of which were firework related and 13 were bonfire related. Deputy Mayor for the fire service, Jules Pipe CBE, told The Standard: “There are always fantastic organised public events marking Bonfire Night in London, and they are by far the safest way to enjoy fireworks.“London Fire Brigade received the highest number of calls in a decade on November 5, which is a stark reminder of the risks that private displays can pose to people, animals, homes and public spaces. “Anyone planning fireworks or bonfires at home should put safety first and show consideration for their neighbours and surroundings.”