Call for power to halt 'high risk' firework displays

A Jersey constable has called for local authorities to be given powers to halt firework displays which are considered too dangerous.

Two private displays are planned this weekend in St Brelade, sparking a mixed response from islanders at a time when there is a high risk of furze fires.

The Battle of Flowers' annual display on 15 August is also set to go ahead despite Jersey Fire and Rescue Service stressing any displays or bonfires pose a "concern".

Starburst Fireworks, the company in charge of this weekend's private displays, said it had taken steps to ensure its events were safe, adding the company had never caused a fire in 33 years.

Martyn Maguire, chair of The Battle of Flowers, said its fireworks would be set off at sea and not be anywhere near land.

The government is due to undertake a public consultation on the use of fireworks and other pyrotechnics in Jersey before the end of the year.

St Brelade constable Stephen Pallett said, under current regulations, nobody could stop firework displays.

He said regulations were approved in 2014 to give powers to stop displays, but they were not brought into force.

He said a licensing system could be brought in and controlled by the constables and added he was in touch with the home affairs minister to get the 2014 regulations enacted.

Jersey Fire and Rescue's deputy chief fire officer Bryn Coleman said the service was advising people not to have firework displays while the risk of fire was high.

"We've currently got a fire severity index which means the likelihood of having a fire on the island as four which means it's very high at the moment or high.

"Therefore I would recommend not having any bonfires, not having any firework displays to try and mitigate the effects of a fire occurring.

"There's certainly a high risk of a fire developing should we get any flying embers, any sparks from fireworks or bombfires, so obviously it is a concern to us in the States of Jersey Fire and Rescue Service."

said there was "a high risk of a fire developing should we get any flying embers, any sparks from fireworks or bomb fires".

James Bevis, managing director of Starburst Fireworks, said his team had a very detailed risk assessment which was constantly reviewed and forwarded to the fire service.

He said his company had been calling for a change to the regulations for years but a licencing system needed to be fair.

Bevis said: "We've got 12 connetables and if each connetable was to give me permission to do a firework display in the parish, where would I stand if one connetable didn't like fireworks?"

He added that the constable had to understand the risk assessments otherwise it could "damage our business irreparably".

Senator Helen Miles, minister for justice and home affairs, has encouraged islanders to "take notice of the advice issued by the fire service," stressing: "Clearly, public safety has to be a paramount consideration as we move forward."

She added: "I hope that the consultation will provide a good basis for us to progress with bringing new Regulations forward, and I encourage those interested to engage with the consultation."

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