Fire chief issues Chinese lantern warning

A Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service official has discouraged the use of Chinese lanterns throughout the region as many people gear up to celebrate the ‘Year of the Rabbit’ from today.

The fire service has issued this warning at the beginning of the Chinese New Year due to concerns over the use of these sky or wish lanterns, as they are often known.

Due to the fact that the lanterns are constructed using a paper or fabric shell and often a bamboo frame, they have been known to have caused a number of fires in other countries.

The lanterns, which are usually ignited so that they rise in the air, have already been banned in Germany and Australia because of incidents involving stray lanterns and reports of damage to homes, with one fire even resulting in a death.

Despite there being a list of safety instructions included with the purchase of these lanterns, their use is still strongly discouraged by the fire service.

Steve McGuirk, the County Fire Officer and Chief Executive, said:

“We want everyone to enjoy the Chinese New Year celebrations safely and we would ask people to think carefully before using Chinese lanterns – once lit and released there is no control over its direction or where it lands.”