Shocking footage has emerged showing Hammersmith Bridge, West London, seemingly ablaze as a group of youths set off dozens of flares and fireworks on Sunday night (August 5). A hedge at the nearby St Pauls’ School was also ignited around 9.30pm after flares and fireworks were launched from the bridge.
Will, a 22-year-old local resident and recent graduate, captured the incident on film from his nearby home.
He said: “We heard this loud banging outside – looked out the window and the whole bridge was shrouded in red. Many were landing in the school playing fields, harmlessly at first. Then we saw a small, and then quickly a massive fire.”
He added: “The fire trucks arrived really quickly and there were police too, who had to use fire extinguishers on a part of the bridge that was smoking. There was a police helicopter as well.”
Will continued: “My brother’s lived here for three years. He says it’s not the first time fireworks have been set off from the bridge, but it’s the first time it’s caused a fire.”
He shared that local residents are increasingly concerned about the use of flares. He said: “People are worried with flares going everywhere – if they landed at a slightly different angle, it could have set off a whole block of flats, especially with the wind blowing.”
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police stated: “At 21:47hrs on Sunday, 3 August officers and the London Fire Brigade responded to reports of a large disturbance near Hammersmith Bridge, SW13. It was established there had been instances of fireworks and flares being set off.”
They continued: “A bush fire at St Paul’s School, Barnes, caused by the fireworks, was put out by the London Fire Brigade. There were no reported injuries.”
The spokesperson added: “Two men, aged 22 and 18, were arrested on suspicion of arson. They both remain in police custody. Anyone with information, photos and video footage that might help police with this investigation can call 101 referencing CAD 6861/03AUG.”
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