Removal of lanterns from Poundland shelves praised
A decision by Poundland to stop selling Chinese lanterns in the wake of the devastating blaze in the Black Country was today welcomed – as other retailers were urged to follow suit.
The Willenhall-based firm announced it was removing the lamps from sale after CCTV showed a stray lantern caused the £6 million fire at the Jayplas recycling plant in Smethwick on Sunday.
All remaining stock will be pulled from the company's branches across the country.
Chief fire officer for West Midlands Fire Service Vij Randeniya joined MP for Warley John Spellar and the Birmingham & Black Country Wild Life Trust in praising the firm's decision.
Mr Randeniya, who is also the president of the chief fire officers association, said: "We asked for a sensible conversation about sky lanterns with sensible people, and we are really pleased that Poundland have stepped up to the plate.
"This will make a direct contribution to public safety. We welcome it, and call on other responsible retailers to follow suit as soon as possible. Our firefighters showed great skill and courage in controlling this enormous fire. We were at the scene for days. Poundland's decision means their efforts were not in vain."
Warley MP John Spellar earlier this week called on Local Government Minister Eric Pickles to ban the items following the fire, which saw up to 100,000 tons of plastic go up in flames.
More than 200 firefighters battled the blaze at its peak. Speaking after Poundland announced it would be removing the items, he said: "This is a welcome decision by Poundland to stop the sale of Chinese lanterns and a true support of one Black Country business to another.
"I hope other retailers and the Government will follow their example because it is an example for their industry.
There needs to be a look at the bigger picture this isn't just a problem for urban sites, with the hot weather there is an increased risk of danger to woodland, agriculural land and wildlife.
"Poundland should be congratulated for this move." Birmingham & Black Country Wildlife Trust spokesman Joe Peacock added: "Well done to Poundland for making this decision. I just hope more shops make the same moves. It is a shame that it has taken an industrial fire in the Black Country to realise the dangers caused by these lanterns to the wildlife."
