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Chinese lantern blamed for Somerton fire | Chinese lantern blamed for Somerton fire |
(about 17 hours later) | |
A Chinese lantern has been blamed for sparking a large fire at an industrial estate in Somerset. | A Chinese lantern has been blamed for sparking a large fire at an industrial estate in Somerset. |
Firefighters were called to the Polham Lane site in Somerton after a tonne of paper and printer cartridges caught fire on Saturday night. | |
A spokesman from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said the lantern had fallen on to the paper. | A spokesman from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said the lantern had fallen on to the paper. |
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service had issued a warning about the use of lanterns only the day before. | |
The paper decorations, which can float up to a mile into the air when they are lit, are often constructed with metal wire. | |
They have become a popular feature at parties and weddings. | They have become a popular feature at parties and weddings. |
Following the Somerton fire, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service station commander Jim Morrison said: "Without sounding like a killjoy, we would ask people to consider not buying and setting them off because of the dangers. | Following the Somerton fire, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service station commander Jim Morrison said: "Without sounding like a killjoy, we would ask people to consider not buying and setting them off because of the dangers. |
"Although they look pretty they will often fail and come down early whilst the fuel for the lantern itself is still burning." | "Although they look pretty they will often fail and come down early whilst the fuel for the lantern itself is still burning." |
Coincidentally, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service had issued a warning about Chinese lanterns only the day before the incident. | Coincidentally, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service had issued a warning about Chinese lanterns only the day before the incident. |
Cattle died | Cattle died |
The statement said the novelties - also called sky lanterns - could harm animals and the environment and added that the service believed the risk of launching them "far outweighs the benefits". | The statement said the novelties - also called sky lanterns - could harm animals and the environment and added that the service believed the risk of launching them "far outweighs the benefits". |
The National Farmers Union has had "numerous reports" of harm caused to livestock by lanterns, it said. | The National Farmers Union has had "numerous reports" of harm caused to livestock by lanterns, it said. |
In some cases, cattle have died after eating metal wires from the frames. | In some cases, cattle have died after eating metal wires from the frames. |
The statement concludes: "If the lantern does start a fire there is the possibility that you could be held responsible." | The statement concludes: "If the lantern does start a fire there is the possibility that you could be held responsible." |
Lantern ban | Lantern ban |
Concerns have also been raised by RNLI, which has reported a large increase in the number of call-outs after the lights from lanterns were mistaken for distress flares. | Concerns have also been raised by RNLI, which has reported a large increase in the number of call-outs after the lights from lanterns were mistaken for distress flares. |
East Midlands and Manchester airports have warned against launching Chinese lanterns beneath its flight paths, claiming they could get sucked into plane engines. | East Midlands and Manchester airports have warned against launching Chinese lanterns beneath its flight paths, claiming they could get sucked into plane engines. |
Austria and Germany have banned the lanterns but there are no restrictions in force in Britain, although the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has issued guidelines on their use. | Austria and Germany have banned the lanterns but there are no restrictions in force in Britain, although the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has issued guidelines on their use. |
Although no planes have been brought down, the CAA says the lanterns could potentially be ingested into plane engines and can fall on to airport runways. | Although no planes have been brought down, the CAA says the lanterns could potentially be ingested into plane engines and can fall on to airport runways. |
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