An analysis of bonfire and firework related fire incidences

Taylor, M ORCID: 0000-0002-5647-426X, Fielding, J, Thomas, M, Lyon, R ORCID: 0000-0003-3776-2087, Reilly, D ORCID: 0000-0002-8161-9010, Francis, H and Kwasnica, V An analysis of bonfire and firework related fire incidences. Journal of Fire Sciences. ISSN 0734-9041 (Accepted)

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Abstract

This study examines fire incidents attended by Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service during the bonfire night period 5th November (2015–2024), analysing the circumstances, patterns, and trends of such incidents. In particular, anti-social behaviour fires (ASBs), deliberate property fires, firework incidents, and violence at work incidents were examined. ASB fires declined from 2016, firework incidents from 2019, and violence at work incidents from 2018, but all subsequently increased in 2024. Deliberate property fires also declined from 2016 onwards.

Statistically significant increases occurred on 5th November for firework incidents, 5th and 6th November for ASB fires, and 30th October and 5th November for deliberate property fires and violence at work incidents. There was a strong link between the level of deprivation and the number of ASB, deliberate property fires, firework incidents, and violence at work incidents over the period studied.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	0912 Materials Engineering; Strategic, Defence & Security Studies; 4004 Chemical engineering; 4005 Civil engineering
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform Q Science > QA Mathematics > QA76 Computer software H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare. Criminology > HV697 Protection, assistance and relief
Divisions:	Computer Science and Mathematics
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Date of acceptance:	23 April 2026
Date Deposited:	27 Apr 2026 10:20
Last Modified:	27 Apr 2026 10:20
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/28447

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