Chinese Lanterns

[Tigger the Trigger]

Last summer we had a woodland fire on the estate i work on. Fortunatly the fire was dicovered quickly, put out by our staff with knapsack sprayers and our Bowser but we still lost 10 acres. On investigation the seat of the fire the only thing found was the metal cage from a night light found on the ground and part of a wood/tissue caught on a tree. Has anyone had experience of this dangerouslly stupid craze!!!!

[corylus]

They are a nightmare for farm animals too. Tend not to be digested too easily.

[Bob Slade]

Although it couldn't be proved by the fire brigade, last year the barn where we kept one of our Hot Air Balloons in was set on fire. Two Land Rovers and trailers, big basket and the envelope,fans plus all the hay and straw in the barn all gone. someone walking the fields found 4 lanterns very close to the barn that had been sent off the night of the fire after some ones wake. i hate chinese lanterns with a passion.

[MikeTM150]

Lost 60 acres of organic wheat last year to them, we rushed out with the plough and luckily managed to stop it spreading to the rest of the 230 acres........ fire chief walks up carrying this charred metal frame and says 'know what that is?' of which i hadn't a clue, chinese latern were his words shortly by some expletives and a threat to insert it somewhere the recipeient may prefer it didn't go.

 

Can't believe they're allowed to sell such items, of all the health and safety about and they can sell them things!!!

[Stuart A-C]

We get no end of them down this way, and it normally ends up with us launching the lifeboat to reports of flares. They should be banned.

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

We get no end of them down this way, and it normally ends up with us launching the lifeboat to reports of flares. They should be banned.

 

totaly agree, this one is getting to busting point now:thumbdown:

 

 

would be interesting to get the financial costs of these lanterns documented

[Matthew Arnold]

A terrace of newly thatched cottages went up on New years because of a lantern. There were several barn fires and atleast 5 "small" heath fire all caused by lanterns as the wire cage was at the seat of the blaze.

[Old WoodChip]

this craze is pretty new, you can partly blame ebay I have seen them very cheap.

BUT... I thought they only came down when the flame went out??????

 

all the ones I have seen lit are still climbing in the sky

[Pedroski]

Quite often the paper catches light, then they come down still burning. Was at Camp Bestival year or two back and some pleb sent one up from the crowd and it got caught straight away in a nearby oak. Fortunately it burned itself out without setting anything else alight. In my opinion, anyone setting them off should be prosecuted for littering and for attempted arson endangering life and property!

[Stereo]

I saw them for sale at the Eden project last year in the gift shop! Very eco freindly guys. I did email them to point out the damage they can do but got no reply. I wonder if they still sell them?