September has been a busy month for fireworks around the world. Protests over late-night firework displays and big bans in Scotland have been the headlines in many cities as we get closer to Bonfire Night on 5th November.
But it’s not all bad—Blackpool is firing up the sky with the World Fireworks Championship over three weekends. In this blog we’ll be looking at the latest firework news from September 2024, covering everything from safety to global events.
If you want to stay updated on fireworks news, trends, or regulatory changes, this blog has you covered. Here are the top 6 fireworks stories making headlines this month:
1. Protests over late-night fireworks in Bradford
A protest was held in Bradford, organised by the group ‘Ban the Menace Fireworks’, to demand tighter controls on late night firework use. About 20 protesters, including Labour Councillor Fozia Shaheen, were concerned about the impact of firework noise on mental health, sleep disturbance and pets.
Councils have had many complaints from residents demanding tighter controls on the timing and location of fireworks displays. The disruption caused by late-night events has raised the question of whether more controls are needed to reduce noise pollution and risks to people and the environment.
You can read more about on BBC News here
Campaigners in Centenary Square – BBC News
2. Firework bans across Scotland
If you read our August news round-up, you’ll know Scotland is looking to create firework control zones to manage fireworks. To reduce noise and disturbance, these zones would restrict fireworks use in certain areas, especially near homes, schools and parks.
On the Scottish government website, it says in Firework Control Zones:
- You can’t set off fireworks anywhere, including private property, except for category 1 fireworks (sparklers, crackers and party poppers).
- Organised public fireworks displays are allowed so people can enjoy fireworks safely.
This month, Edinburgh and Glasgow have banned the sale and use of fireworks by the public in these control zones. This is a big step in the right direction for public safety and responding to community concerns about noise and disturbance during the fireworks season.
3. World Firework Championships in Blackpool
The World Fireworks Championships are back in Blackpool this year with three top pyrotechnic companies from around the world. Each team will be presenting a firework display to music and it’s an experience not to be missed. The event takes place along Blackpool’s famous promenade, where the night sky will be lit up with some amazing displays that will leave you speechless.
This year’s dates are:
Saturday 7th September – Poland ( Nakaja Art )
Saturday 21st September – Finland ( Pyroman Finland Ltd )
Saturday 5th October – USA ( Great Lakes Fireworks )
Whether you’re a fireworks fan or just looking for a great night out, this event has it all. For more info, including ticket details and event updates, visit the World Firework Championship website. The event will start at 7.30 pm, and each display will be fired at approximately 8.30 pm.
Blackpool firework championships – Blackpool.com
4. California yacht firework disaster
A luxury yacht, identified as the 30.5-meter vintage yacht “The Admiral,” sank in Marina del Rey, California, after a fire broke out on board, reportedly caused by fireworks.
The yacht was moored when the fire started, and a passerby captured the resulting flames and smoke on video.
Firefighters arrived but couldn’t save the yacht, which sank about 2 hours later. There were 1,000 rounds of live ammunition on board. Two people were on board at the time, but they both escaped with minor injuries.
Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the fire, and the presence of fireworks and ammunition has raised concerns.
Read more about this story on Fox News
Yacht sinks after explosion – Fox 11 Los Angeles
5. Industrial firework found in Wargrave
In Wargrave an area was cordoned off after an “industrial firework” was found at a local property.
These fireworks were far too powerful for public use and were being stored illegally, so a 100m area was taped off as a precaution. Residents were advised to stay indoors while authorities, including an Army explosive ordnance disposal team, attended the scene.
6. Peterborough firework factory incident
Another firework-related incident occurred at a firework factory in Peterborough. Details are still emerging, but a man has been taken to hospital with burns to his hands after an ‘explosion’.
The word “explosion” was used to get medical help to the scene as soon as possible. A senior manager was doing a controlled burn (a planned fire) and hurt his hands in the process. The word “explosion” might have caused confusion with the emergency services, so new guidelines have been introduced to help staff know what to say if someone gets hurt. This way, they can avoid a bigger response than necessary.
Read more about this article on peterboroughtoday.com
Stay up to date with Firework News
As september is coming to a close, we’ve had a lot of fireworks news this month, from the World Firework Championships in Blackpool to protests in Bradford and new firework laws in Scotland. It’s clear people want to enjoy fireworks responsibly.
As Bonfire Night approaches, ensure you know the rules and firework safety tips in your area to have a fun and safe night. Whether you’re attending a public display or celebrating at home, let’s enjoy the fireworks and be considerate of our communities. More to come in the weeks ahead!
