News

Mum with 24 pets calls for tougher laws after firework near miss

By Becky Barnes
November 08, 2012

A mum is calling for stricter fireworks laws after her family and 24 pets had a lucky escape when a stray rocket almost torched their house.

Vicky Weller, 44, was at home with husband Keith, 46, daughter Kaysey, 15, and son Kieron, 13, when the rocket landed in their back garden, setting fire to the fence and a garden table just before 9pm on Saturday.

The Teddies Day Nursery worker, of Evedon, Birch Hill, said: “It was a big shock and could have been so much worse had we not been at home.

“All you could see from the back door was flames – we had a table outside the door completely alight.

“Fireworks should be kept at displays –- there’s no room in people’s gardens as they are just going to land somewhere.

“We need more action from the Government and stricter laws to stop just anyone going to the supermarket and buying them.”

The children were upstairs playing on a games console when they saw the blaze rising up the wooden cladding on the side of the house.

Vicky added: “They saw really bright flames from the bedroom window and came running down to tell us.

“We had the curtains shut and music turned up loud to protect my dogs, who hate fireworks, so hadn’t noticed.

“If we had not been at home the dogs would have been shut in the kitchen, if

the chicks had been older they would have been in the garden and if the children hadn’t seen the flames – it doesn’t bear thinking about.”

The family has three Dobermans, six bearded dragons, three monitor lizards, three snakes, a tortoise, two cats and six incubated chicks.

A neighbour had already called 999.

Vicky added: “Keith tried tackling the fire with bowls of water as it was going to catch the house alight but I got the kids out and then began to get the animals out.”

She said they will now lose their no claims discount and their neighbour’s back garden and furniture has also been damaged.

She said: “It will cost us quite a lot but we feel very lucky it was caught.

“The children are a bit nervous still.

“Somebody’s five minutes of pleasure has caused us trouble.”

Bracknell firefighter Peter Bailey, who attended the scene, said: “The fire was on the verge of going into the house. We got there just in time.”

The team put the blaze out within an hour and the incident is not being treated as suspicious.

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Most recent user comments 13 of 13

I’m not justifying fireworks to kept the emergency services employed, I’m stating that this is their job to attend emergency’s??

I agree fireworks can be dangerous when in the wrong hands, but isn’t that the same as a car? Some on who is not sensible behind a wheel can cause damage and even kill. Same as someone not sensible handling firework can be dangerous.

I think when you are buying fireworks checks should be made more carefully, i.e. photo copy of your id taken. But I don’t think they should be restricted to event displays.

We had young children at our house with fireworks and also the elderly (people in their 80’s) they all enjoyed it. You say noises of them keeping children awake, what about house parties, will you also be complaining about new year’s eve parties?

Parents keeping an eye on their children? Children can't buy fireworks and ID is required, which means it's young adults who are the nuisance - Where does it state a young adult brought the fireworks, it could have been someone in their 30’s, 40’s or even 50’s.

It’s a shame and I’m sure very upsetting for the lady who had a firework hit her fence, don’t get me wrong, but it isnt something that happens every day, and there is a lot worse in the world going on

Secret, Bracknell
08/11/2012 at 15:10

This report was brought to you in association with Show Us Your Pets, the national movement asking you lots of details about, and a photo opportunity with, your pets.

Nowtas, West Berkshire
08/11/2012 at 14:21

So you're justifying the selling of fireworks - and the danger they cause - on the basis of keeping the emergency services employed? I can't find the words to describe such an imbecilic mind set.

Parents keeping an eye on their children? Children can't buy fireworks and ID is required, which means it's young adults who are the nuisance.

Ruining everyone's fun? How about my fun in being able to keep my young children asleep when kids and young adults are running around the streets letting these things off with no consideration for others? How about the 'fun' of elderly residents who just want a peaceful night, or an ordinary family who don't want their evening disturbed by individuals who think it's their right to do as they please with no thought for anyone else?

Listen, I'm all for live and let live in a wider sense but I just think it should be controlled within a better framework that balances public safety over tradition.

Winstanley, Bracknell
08/11/2012 at 11:44

"If there weren’t any emergency’s to attend to there wouldn’t be work."

If there weren't any self inflicted emergencies to attend during one or two weeks in October/November/December I'm pretty sure they wouldn't start losing their jobs. That's a very narrow minded opinion; leave is normally cancelled during the busy firework period... I'm pretty sure they'd like to take their own families to displays, instead of working.

Br
08/11/2012 at 11:36

Also that link you just posted, this wasn’t an incident from an event display or home display,

A 10year old and a 11year old were playing with it in the street?? Of course this would happen!?!?!

“The firework involved was an Onion Bomb, which is used in professional displays and is not on general sale to the public”

“We need to make sure it doesn't happen to anyone else. We need parents to know where their children are and make sure they are not playing with fireworks.”

Secret, Bracknell
08/11/2012 at 11:33

Stig2, Wokingham – “ seems to be one of these sort of neighbours!”

Not at all, I told my neighbours that we would be having fireworks – due to them having pets and young children, not wanting to scare them! They all decided to gather in their garden and watch as well. We don’t by these fireworks where you are advised to stand 25meters away. We brought a selection box and requested the quietest ones – as the big rockets are too loud when you have young children, and ones that wouldn’t go flying of all over the place

Even at an event you have no idea where it might land….

Maybe you should have some next year, let your hair down and enjoy yourself!

Secret, Bracknell
08/11/2012 at 11:28

Bonfire & fireworks night started in 1605 – why ruin every ones fun.

Don’t get me wrong I feel for the people who have suffered when a fire has happened.

But these things do happen.

If people stopped setting fire to their wheelie bin, and blowing their hands of, the emergency services wouldn’t be having a break, they would be losing their jobs. If there weren’t any emergency’s to attend to there wouldn’t be work

Just because one women how has suffered a nasty experience it shouldn’t mean others lose out.

If a law is made that you can only see fireworks at licenced events, then this events will just hike the prices up as they know you cant have your own display at home

Worse things are happening in the world

Secret, Bracknell
08/11/2012 at 11:22

Also bear in mind that bonfire night was originally intended as a celebration of thwarting Guy Fawkes - now we'd be applauding his efforts.

Winstanley, Bracknell
08/11/2012 at 11:15

http://news.sky.com/story/1005882/onion-bomb-firework-explodes-in-boys-faces

http://www.scotsman.com/edinburgh-evening-news/latest-news/crowd-flees-as-fireworks-boxes-all-explode-at-once-1-2616173

Freak accident?

They should be banned from sale and only professionally organised displays should be licensed for charitable purposes and community events. They endanger public safety, welfare of animals and wildlife, and there's a reason why explosives are not widely available year-round.

Winstanley, Bracknell
08/11/2012 at 11:13

There have been too many incidences where my neighbours have let off large rocket fireworks from their back garden and end up in my garden or on my car. Too often these 3 foot long rockets land still alight outside our front door.. So far we have only had near misses. They also have the very expensive fireworks which say stand 25 metres away from them so they put the fireworks away from themselves but next to our house. As our gardens are not 25 metres long then this seems stupid. It is about time fireworks should be in a controlled display and not take chances with other people's lives. @secret seems to be one of these sort of neighbours!

Stig2, Wokingham
08/11/2012 at 11:05

No, I never had fireworks as a kid at home, I've only once had garden fireworks and due to the expense I decided never to buy them again when I can stand outside and look in every direction for free. Or go to an event and pay the same price to watch without having to worry about the safety of those watching.

Yes, anything could happen at organised events but at least if people were trained those accidents could be limited and liability could be placed on the organisers. Who's liable if you set fire to your own house?

Emergency services are stretched as it is, so not having to worry about Joe public setting fire to their wheelie bin or blowing their own had off would be such a welcoming break for them.

Br
08/11/2012 at 10:09

Br - Did you never have fireworks at home as child

If you see link below you will see fireworks can go wrong at any event too! http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-20220853

I had fireworks at my house on Monday and my daughter and niece loved it. it was to late and cold to be taking them out at 7.30 so we decided to do them at home.

These freak accidents happen.....

Secret, Bracknell
08/11/2012 at 09:43

Completely agree.

IMO fireworks should be for licensed events only and individuals who apply for licences should have to take basic fire safety and first aid courses. No more home displays please, there are plenty every year run by businesses who hire in trained pyrotechnic specialists which people can attend.