Halifax warns 5.9m Brits to show care on bonfire night

Some 5.9 million Britons will use dangerous accelerants to light outdoor fires on bonfire night this year, posing a risk to themselves and their homes, Halifax Home Insurance has claimed.

According to the company, accidents involving fire have caused £296 million of damage to homes and gardens in the past.

Some 2.6 million people use white spirits to get their fire burning, the Halifax study found, while 1.7 million use petrol, over two million use methylated spirits and 1.2 million use aerosols.

"Using combustible or explosive materials such as petrol or white spirits to light a bonfire is extremely dangerous and could easily result in a fire that is uncontrollable," said Vicky Emmott, senior underwriter for the insurance provider.

"Halifax Home Insurance is urging Britons to remember they need to take reasonable care, otherwise they may invalidate their insurance policies."

Regionally, the survey found that people living in the south-west were more likely to use dangerous accelerants on bonfire night, with 14 per cent of adults doing so. People in this region were also found to be the most likely to use beer or alcohol to fuel their fire.