The government had earlier warned against any activity that “could start a fire” specifically warning against the use of fireworks
Wembley Stadium has been criticised after fireworks were set off during Canadian popstar The Weeknd’s gig, despite a government emergency alert earlier warning against their use.
The Weeknd began his five-night run at the venue in Brent on Friday night (August 14), which included a fireworks display accompanying the set’s closing track ‘Moth To A Flame’. However, some have questioned the display going ahead due to the government’s warning earlier that day that landowners “should not undertake any activity that could start a fire”.
Wembley Stadium has said all pyrotechnics are “designed, operated and managed by specialist professionals” but some have questioned whether the decision to go ahead with the fireworks was appropriate, describing the area around the stadium as “a tinderbox”.
A Brent resident on social media platform X asked: “Do you think it’s appropriate to allow a massive firework display for The Weeknd concert following a national alert asking people not to? The embers can fly for considerable distance and the area is tinderbox dry.”
The fireworks were set off just hours after the UK government sent out an emergency alerts to phones across England and Wales, warning of a “severe” risk of wildfires across the country. The message read: “Residents, landowners and visitors should not undertake any activity that could start a fire, including disposable barbecues, firepits, garden incinerators or fireworks.
“Even a small flame can rapidly develop into a major wildfire placing lives, homes, businesses and emergency responders at risk.”
The government alert was a safety guidance message and, whilst it has introduced a temporary ban on the sale of disposable barbecues, it has not done so for fireworks. But a local councillor described the decision to go ahead with the display as “terrible optics”.
Representative for nearby Alperton, Cllr Anton Georgiou, said: “The government sent an emergency alert that was very explicit about the use of fireworks. Why then did Wembley Stadium think it was a good idea to allow a fireworks display at the national stadium? Terrible optics and dangerous.”
A Wembley Stadium representative said that venue officials had held a meeting with on-site members of the Metropolitan Police and London Fire Brigade after the alert was received. The spokesperson said: “The firework display was a controlled performance, delivered within the Wembley Stadium footprint and subject to the stadium’s established safety procedures.
“All pyrotechnics at Wembley are designed, operated and managed by specialist professionals in accordance with the stadium’s pyrotechnics policy. The stadium also has a team of fire safety experts on site for every event.”
A Brent Council spokesperson added: “Given the government’s emergency alert, we sought and have received assurances from Wembley Stadium about its approach to fireworks during this event, including consulting with the London Fire Brigade.”
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