Bishopbriggs man narrowly avoids serious injury after being hit by stray firework

The Meadowburn resident was in the garden of his home when he was showered with debris from the firework which his wife likened as “tantamount to a bomb”.

The debris from the firework landed on him and the decking of the family home. The family home was also in danger of catching fire.

His wife hit out on Facebook: “For the imbecile on Meadowburn who about 10 minutes ago let off what was tantamount to a bomb, it landed above my husband showering our decking and him with debris and nearly deafened him.

“You bunch of irresponsible A-holes to set off something so dangerous in a residential area terrifying babies, elderly people and animals.

“My husband was very close to being seriously injured tonight, your entertainment is explosives and if you don’t understand they are to be used safely and with some degree of consideration then don’t use them!!”

She added: “It came practically horizontally up the street and landed about six feet above the house showering him in sparks and debris.

“I have phoned the police. I am fuming - he could have been carted away in an ambulance. I am so angry.”

Fellow residents on social media called for a ban on private use

Emergency services said they dealt with dozens of calls in East Dunbartonshire last night. A local police spokesperson said officers and firefighters were targeted by thugs throwing fireworks.

Across Scotland, police and the fire service received more than 1100 calls and dealt with more than 500 bonfires on one of their busiest nights of the year.

Initial figures indicate that Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) crews responded to 511 bonfires across the country between 3.30pm and 11.30pm on Thursday, November 5.

Meanwhile Operations Control handled more than 1100 calls from members of the public.

There were also 12 reported attacks on crews, although no injuries have been reported.

With public events cancelled amid continuing Covid-19 restrictions, the SFRS had appealed to the public to be aware of the dangers of both fireworks and deliberate fire-setting and to also consider the impact of their actions on communities and emergency services.

Assistant Chief Officer Stuart Stevens is the SFRS Director of Service Delivery.

He said: “Bonfire Night is traditionally one of our busiest night of the year. Our frontline crews and Operations Control personnel and support staff have shown extreme dedication over this period and I would like to pay tribute to their professionalism and resilience.

“I must also thank our partners and indeed communities across Scotland for their continuing support.”

Libby Logan is the SFRS Area Commander for Operations Control.

She said: “This was a busy and challenging evening, but I would like to praise our Operations Control staff who have once again worked tirelessly to ensure we respond to those who need us the most.

“Their dedication has allowed us to meet this challenge and continue to protect communities throughout Bonfire Night.”

Condemning attacks on emergency service workers, Assistant Chief Officer Stevens added: “Attacks on emergency service workers are completely unacceptable.

“This type of behaviour not only prevents our crews from bringing any emergency to a safe and swift conclusion, but it can impact on our emergency service colleagues including the police when they must escort us at the scene.

“This type of behaviour is, of course, carried out by a very small minority and we once again thank our communities for their continuing support and working together with us to stay safe.”