Crowds forced to flee fireworks (From Your Local Guardian)

Crowds forced to flee Epsom scouts fireworks

11:00am Thursday 13th November 2008 in Epsom By Helen Crane

Crowds were forced to run for safety when red hot ash showered down on them during the massive firework display in Hook Road arena in Epsom on Saturday night.

During the display the winds picked up and strong gusts blew some of the firework detritus on the people standing near the stage.

One woman had her trousers scorched from the remains of a firework as she fled to safety.

The organisers, the 7th Epsom Scouts, took advantage of a break in the pouring rain to set off the £20,000 fireworks in what was announced as one of the biggest displays in the south east.

They took account of the wind and the fireworks were pointed away from the crowd but halfway through the strong gusts blew some of the firework debris towards them.

“It was quite scary,” said Scott Jenno from West Ewell who was at the fireworks with his girlfriend Sylvia DaSilva and a party of young children.

“I suddenly saw all this stuff coming towards us and I shouted at them ‘leg it’ and we ran away from it.

“Sylvia was brushing at her leg and her trousers were scorched. There were lots of people running away and it was lucky that no-one was injured. Then there was an announcement to move further away from the stage.”

The firework organisers will hold a debriefing session to discuss this year’s problems before beginning to plan for next year’s event.

Group scout leader and ward councillor Neil Dallen said: “There were a few embers coming down from the fireworks and we made an announcement asking people to move further back which they did in an orderly way and there were no injuries to the general public.

“Unfortunately it became very, very gusty. We pointed the fireworks away but obviously the wind was stronger than we anticipated.

“We haven’t yet had our review but I suspect that another year we will move the barrier further back. We had the recommended clearance but perhaps we need extra room”

The torrential rain during the day put off some firework lovers and the attendance was down to under 5,000 instead of the 10,000 who usually watch the fireworks and the profits were down to around £5,000 instead of the £15,000 that the event normally brings in.

Councillor Dallen added: “We have a fantastic organisational team who proved they can cope with bad weather as well as good.”

The scouts picked up a bunch of keys as they cleared the ground after the display and are waiting for the owners to claim them.

• Want to become one of our community correspondents? Log on to our Your Say section, click here to email Diana Jarvis or phone 020 8330 9592.