Non-Fire Night

Health and safety inspired bonfire-less bonfire night celebrations.

Every year on November the 5th, Brits commemorate the foiling of a 1605 plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament. Named after the plot’s ringleader,Guy Fawkes Night traditionally involves the lighting of bonfires and the setting off of fireworks.

However, according to the Daily Mail, health and safety fears have prompted the Ilfracombe Rugby Club in Devon to treat revellers to a “virtual bonfire” night:

The event – dubbed ‘non-fire night‘ – will see dozens of families hold sparklers and gather around a massive screen showing film footage of a bonfire.

Recorded images of a roaring real fire will be projected onto a 16ft by 12ft screen mounted on a scaffolding stand - at a cost of £300.

In addition to video images, the organisers will also use smoke machines, heaters, lighting and loud speakers (which will broadcast the sound of crackling wood) to create their virtual bonfire. Throwing caution to the wind, however, the fireworks will be real.