MPs make fireworks plea in 'tinderbox' conditions

Two MPs and the council leader have urged people to stop setting off "nuisance" fireworks during the heatwave to stop fires taking hold.

In an open letter, Peterborough's Labour MPs Andrew Pakes and Sam Carling, and Labour city council leader Shabina Qayyum asked people to "think twice" due to the "tinder-dry conditions".

They also cited "ongoing noise nuisance caused by anti-social, late-night firework use in recent days" and also advised people against using disposable barbecues.

Pakes said: "Fireworks can be brilliant fun when they're organised and done properly, but right now, in this heat, with everything as dry as it is, a single spark is all it takes to cause real damage."

He added that firefighters were already under significant pressure and said residents could help reduce the risk by avoiding activities that could ignite dry vegetation.

The letter references Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service's continued efforts to tackle a major peatland fire at Holme Fen Nature Reserve, which has occupied crews since Saturday. The cause of the fire is yet to be established.

The BBC has asked the fire service how many firework-related incidents they have attended in recent weeks.

Carling, MP for the North West Cambridgeshire constituency, which includes Holme Fen, said: "This isn't about spoiling anyone's fun; it's about recognising that conditions right now make fireworks and disposable barbecues genuinely dangerous."

Qayyum added: "I'd urge everyone to exercise real caution. That means thinking twice about fireworks and disposable barbecues, and looking out for each other by speaking up if you see something risky."

The Nene Park Trust has banned the use of disposable barbecues in its parks, including at Ferry Meadows in Peterborough.

The fire service is urging residents to use fireworks responsibly, including supervising sparklers carefully, and reminding people that fireworks must not be sold to under-18s or set off in public places.

Cambridgeshire Police said it had received one report in the past week relating to fireworks being let off near homes.

The call was made by a concerned resident in Dogsthorpe in Peterborough at about 22:00 BST on Monday.

On Wednesday, residents of the Longthorpe and Netherton area of the city said fireworks were being let off for periods of several minutes during the daytime.

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