New warning about use of floating lanterns

Northamptonshire's Arson Task Force is warning local residents about floating lanterns following the fire at a Smethwick recycling plant.

The fire, which is thought to be one of the largest ever in the West Midlands and injured ten firefighters, was caused by a floating lantern.

The Arson Task Force – a partnership between Northamptonshire County Council’s fire and rescue service and Northamptonshire Police, strongly advise that people stop using floating lanterns, also known as Chinese lanterns.

The Task Force says the miniature hot air balloons are constructed of paper, wire and bamboo with a fuel cell attached and hung beneath the paper balloon. When the fuel is lit, the hot air inflates the balloon and it floats into the sky.

The Arson Task Force has been highlighting the dangers of these lanterns since 2009 and there have been many incidents in the county over the last four years, including:

• An incident in 2012 where a lantern set fire to the guttering of a three-storey block of flats in Northampton.

• A flaming lantern landed on the roof of a vehicle resulting in paint damage.

• A lantern that fell from the sky and set fire to some garden furniture.

• A report of washing on a rotary dryer set on fire by a lantern.

• In East Northamptonshire, an animal had to be put down after ingesting some wire from a lantern which had landed in field.