Bonfires

If the fire is dangerous call 999.

To report a nuisance bonfire, contact South Tyneside Council on 0191 427 7000.

Reporting a bonfire problem to the Council

We suggest you keep a diary to record:

• when the nuisance occurs
• details of the nuisance
• how this is affecting you

After you have reported a nuisance bonfire to the Council, we will review your report and we may:

• visit the area
• write to the offender
• communicate with local residents

If a bonfire is happening frequently and produces enough smoke to be considered a nuisance we can issue an Abatement Notice. The person responsible for the bonfire can be fined up to £5000 if they do not stick to the notice.

If you live near allotments you may regularly smell smoke. We can speak to allotment owners to establish good practices.

There are no laws against having a bonfire, but there are laws for the nuisance they can cause.

• Bonfires must not be lit to cause a nuisance to neighbouring premises
• There are no times when bonfires may be lit as of right
• You cannot burn household waste if it will cause pollution or harm people's health
• Smoke emission from any source that causes a nuisance must be avoided
• Some woody garden waste, e.g. fruit canes, can be burnt if dry before burning
• Any bonfire that is considered to be essential must be carefully started with a small amount of dry material, and properly attended
• Do not place green plant material on a bonfire
• Under no circumstances should a bonfire be left to smolder - put water on it, if necessary
• Avoid burning demolition waste

• Tell your neighbours so they can close windows or remove washing from clothes lines
• Build your bonfire well clear of buildings, roads, garden sheds, fences, trees and hedges
• If possible build your bonfire somewhere sheltered from the wind
• Check the wind direction and try to burn when the wind will carry smoke away from neighbouring properties
• Make sure everything to be burned is dry tinder. Don't burn damp grass cuttings as they produce thick smoke
• Never burn household rubbish, tyres, anything containing plastic, foam, paint, batteries or aerosols
• Never use flammable liquids such as old engine oil, meths or petrol to light the fire or to encourage it
• Avoid burning demolition waste
• Before you light the bonfire, check for whether any pets, wildlife or small children have crawled inside
• Check there are no cables e.g. telephone wires above the bonfire
• Make sure the fire, once lit, is kept under supervision and is completely extinguished before being left
• Always keep a bucket of water or a working hosepipe nearby in case of fire
• Don't leave bonfires unattended and keep children and pets away
• A responsible adult should supervise the bonfire until it has burnt out
• When the bonfire has died down, pour water on the embers to stop it reigniting

• make best use of your household collections for food waste, recyclables and garden waste
• compost some household or garden waste 
• bag your waste and ring us - we will collect it for a small fee, see Bulky waste collections
• bag your waste and take it to the Council's waste reception site at Middlefields

It is an offence to produce dark smoke from industrial or trade premises. Action can be taken under the Clean Air Act for dark smoke and a fine up to £20,000 can be issued.

It is an offence to burn cable on a bonfire with the intention to recover the metal.

Incidents of industrial waste burning are reported to the Environment Agency who may prosecute under their legislation.

Environmental permit

You must have an environmental permit if you operate a business which carries out activities such as:

• burning fuels
• storing chemicals in bulk
• manufacturing certain materials
• incinerating or recovering waste

Please check if you require a permit at: Environmental permit

Danger to traffic by smoke

You could be fined if you light a fire and you allow the smoke to drift across the road.

You can celebrate with fireworks in the comfort of your own garden or on private land (with the landowner's permission) but you and your guests need to remember to take care.

• Fireworks must be stored safely somewhere cool and dry, out of reach of children, animals and sources of heat or fire
• Warn your neighbours so they can take their washing in, close windows and keep their pets indoor
• Only buy fireworks from reputable dealers - fireworks should have the product safety marking BS7114 or equivalent and carry a CE mark
• Fire works cannot be let off between 11pm and 7am except on: Bonfire Night (5 November) until midnight, New Year's Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year until 1 am
• Fireworks must only be handled and lit by responsible adults
• Use a torch to read the instructions in the dark not a naked flame
• Light fireworks at arm's length, using a taper
• When watching fireworks stand well back
• Never go near a firework that has been lit. Even if it hasn't gone off, it could still explode
• If any fireworks hasn't gone off after at least half an hour, soak it in water to prevent it reigniting
• Hold sparklers one at a time in gloved hands at arm's length and when it goes out put it end down in a bucket of water
• Pick up spent firework cases using tongs or heatproof gloves, they can still be dangerous 

The government has created a guide to organising bonfires and fireworks. The guide sets out a few simple measures that can help you celebrate bonfire night safely. 

It includes safety tips for hosting and enjoying your own safe fireworks party, and on having a safe bonfire, as well as what to consider if you are attending an organised fireworks display.

See GOV.UK: Organising bonfires and fireworks.