Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) has confirmed that a woman was hit in the face by a firework during an incident at Knowsley Heights on Bonfire Night last year. The revelation comes ahead of this year's Bonfire Night, as the service issued a warning about deliberate fires and attacks on crews.
The ECHO previously reported that firefighters were called to Primrose Drive shortly before 7pm on Thursday, November 5, 2025, following reports a group of youths were launching fireworks directly at the tower block. Firefighters quickly gained entry to a property on the fourth floor and extinguished the blaze.
MFRS released a statement soon afterwards confirming that fire crews who attended the scene had been "targeted and attacked with fireworks."
Previous attacks on firefighters
The previous month, in October 2025, firefighters were also targeted in two separate attacks on consecutive nights. Three firefighters suffered temporary hearing loss and a fire engine was damaged after fireworks were deliberately aimed at crews responding to a fire in Beechwood, Wirral, on October 6.
The following evening, another fire engine was damaged when youths threw a piece of wood at an appliance as crews left an incident at Walton Hall Park in Walton.
Reduction in deliberate fires
During the Bonfire period in 2025, MFRS saw a decrease in deliberate fires, with firefighters attending 67.3% fewer deliberately set fires on Bonfire Night compared with 2024. Incidents across the wider Bonfire period also reduced by 67.6%.
MFRS said it continues to work closely with Merseyside Police, local councils and community partners to remove potential bonfire materials, prevent illegal fires, and promote attendance at safe, organised events. The service said it is keen to see this progress continue, but is urging parents, carers and communities to play their part in preventing deliberate fires and keeping neighbourhoods safe.
Appeal to parents and communities
MFRS group manager for community safety Craig Whitfield said: "Our firefighters are there to protect our communities, not to be attacked while doing their job. It's completely unacceptable.
"We're asking parents and carers to know where their children are, who they're with, and what they're doing, particularly at this time of year when we often see increases in anti-social behaviour.
"Every deliberate fire takes resources away from real emergencies and every attack on our crews puts lives at risk. Please talk to young people about the dangers of playing with fire or fireworks, and the very real consequences of anti-social behaviour."
MFRS is reminding the public to attend organised, public bonfire and firework displays instead of lighting their own, and to report unlit bonfires or fly-tipped rubbish that could be set alight via local councils or the MFRS website. The service also urges people to speak to children and young people about fire safety and respecting emergency services.
Crews will continue to be out across Merseyside over the coming days. If an incident is not an emergency, it can be reported through Merseyside Police's non-emergency reporting channels, including AI Bobbi on the force website, 101, or social media channels @MerPolCC on X or Facebook. If there is a crime in progress, an immediate threat to life or someone is in danger, the public is advised to always call 999. For fire safety advice, or if you do not have working smoke alarms, call Fire Service Direct on 0800 731 5958.
