Fire officers enforce “witch burning” ban in Prague

The Prague fire service were called out 15 times between Monday evening and Tuesday morning in connection with the Czech tradition of “witch burning” bonfires. They had been banned in the capital this year in view of dry conditions and strong winds and in eight cases the organisers agreed to fire officers’ calls for them to douse the fires. The other seven cases were false alarms, a fire service spokesperson said.

Fire fighters did not have to deal with any blazes resulting from unauthorised bonfires getting out of control.

Large public bonfires were called off at a number of places in the capital and people were also told not to light them on their own properties.

Author: Ian Willoughby