Bonfires
Residents who are troubled about bonfires ask if there are bye-laws against lighting them and the straightforward answer to this is, “locally, no, there aren't.”
Neither Suffolk Coastal or Ipswich Borough have a by-law preventing the lighting of bonfires either.
However Suffolk Coastal has some helpful advice on their web site on how to make a complaint to them if there is a regular nuisance. They also offer the following advice to those residents who wish to burn their rubbish and which should guard against neighbours being troubled.
Bonfire Sense
Lighting a bonfire should be a last resort when there is no other suitable means of disposal.
Only wood-based garden refuse and readily combustible materials should be burned. These should be left for a period to dry out so the fire will burn quickly and with minimal smoke.
No materials should be burned that will produce dark smoke and toxic substances such as plastic, oil and rubber.
Never burn household rubbish - most materials are unsuitable for disposal in this way.
Do not start bonfires in built up areas - this is much more likely to cause a nuisance.
Consider your neighbours
If you must burn garden refuse, the number of bonfires should be kept to an absolute minimum and the following should be considered:
- Tell your neighbours when you intend to light a fire so they can take any precautions to safeguard their comfort.
- Please do not start a bonfire if neighbours have washing out to dry.
- Be prepared to alter the time you light your bonfire to suit those who will be affected by it.
- Please do not light bonfires on Bank Holidays or other times when neighbours might be enjoying their own gardens.
Bonfire Safety
Site the bonfire a safe distance away from anything that it may damage, such as houses, garages, sheds, trees, hedges or crops in fields, fences and overhead cables.
Do not burn rubbish that gives off toxic fumes or smoke such as foam-filled furniture, aerosols, plastics, tyres, tins of paint or solvents.
Check the bonfire is stable and will not fall to one side. Also check that there are no animals or children near or inside the bonfire before lighting.
Do not use flammable liquids such as paraffin, diesel or petrol to light the fire, try firelighters.
Never leave the fire unattended.
Ensure that sufficient water, sand or soil is available to use in case of an emergency.
Pour water on the bonfire embers and always ensure the fire has been completely extinguished before leaving the site.
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