Are fireworks in London going off too late at night?

Londoners have had somewhat of a restless nights sleep with fireworks seeing people into the wee hours.

As Diwali celebrations come to a close and bonfire and Halloween events kick in, the sound of Catherine Wheels and Chrysanthemums have become a common occurrence.

Just part of living in a big city you say? Well tell that to the people living in west London whose house burnt down.

On Monday and Tuesday night the London Fire Brigade received 1,341 calls – at least 35 of these firework related.

This includes a house fire in Hayes which was caused by a firework igniting combustible materials.

In the early hours of Wednesday morning, two people were rescued from a block of flats in Southall, and 40 others were evacuated.

Now 15 people have been left without access to their homes, because firefighters believe a stray firework fell and melted through the roof of a nearby annex.

How late can fireworks go on for?

Nick Hodges from Firework Campaign says they have seen more and more incidents of the explosives being used maliciously or during anti-social hours.

Battersea Park sees one of the most widely attended firework displays in London, but the children’s zoo has been campaigning for the event to end, he said.

But despite concerns for wildlife, the most common complaint this year has been about fireworks going on too late.

Firework displays can go until 11pm, but on special occassions, including New Year’s Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year the cut off is 1am.

Nick told Metro: ‘Unless it’s New Year’s Eve there is no need for fireworks past 11pm. We encourage the regulation of organised and licenced displays, but even then we would still stay 11pm is late enough.’

‘Blows my mind you can just buy as many as you want’

Metro asked readers whether they want more restrictions on who can buy them and when.

And overwhelming people want them limited, or at the very least, silenced.

Chris Baines said: ‘There should be more regulation about the amount of noise they can make.

‘If they were silent, or near silent, they wouldn’t wake people, frighten animals or rattle the windows, but they’d still be pretty to watch.’

The ability for anyone over the age of 18 to buy them from supermarkets also should be revised, readers have said.

Matt Holmes said: ‘Blows my mind that you can go into a supermarket and literally buy as many explosives as you want. No pun intended.’

Is London becoming too quiet?

But is not just part of living in London? The city’s nightlife has been increasingly stamped on over the years, with venue owners and club-lovers blaming Nimbys for keeping the capital quiet.

The Hindu Council in the UK also told Metro although they are mindful of the impact of fireworks on the community, the ‘celebrations went very smoothly’.

Businesses frequently apply to extend their hours, but are nearly always denied as locals and police fear an increase in noise levels and crime.

G-A-Y owner Jeremy Joseph, who has since closed his venue, said ‘there is no point fighting to stay open anymore’ blaming Nimby residents.

And it is not just bars. Even restaurants have a hard time extending their hours.

Victor Garvey, who runs Michelin star restaurant SOLA, said he wants to extend his permissions by just one hour to allow diners to enjoy a longer time at the table.

But noise complaints and other strict rules make it impossible.

‘If businesses are now saying “why bother” and question their future in your area, you know you are doing something wrong,’ he said.

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