Two men have been arrested on suspicion of arson after an unauthorized fireworks display on Hammersmith Bridge sparked a dangerous fire that came perilously close to nearby homes and buildings.
More than 80 emergency calls were received by the London Fire Brigade at around 9.45pm on Sunday when a flare set fire to a hedge on the south side of the river, in what appears to be the latest in a series of illegal celebrations by Algeria football supporters.
The blaze erupted in fields belonging to St Paul’s School in Barnes, with flames reaching heights of three meters before being extinguished by firefighters. Fire brigade sources described the incident as “extremely fortunate” that no buildings were damaged, given how close the fire came to residential properties.
CCTV Tracking Leads to Arrests
The arrests were made possible through swift action by Hammersmith and Fulham Council’s CCTV network, which tracked approximately 50 people believed to be Algeria football fans from the bridge to Lyric Square in Hammersmith town centre. Two men, aged 18 and 22, were subsequently detained by Metropolitan Police officers after being found in possession of flares.
“The council’s CCTV operators were able to use the live feed from the council’s CCTV network to track the men from the bridge to Lyric Square, and alerted the police,” a council spokesperson confirmed.
Anniversary Celebration Turns Dangerous
The gathering appears to have been timed to coincide with the anniversary of Mouloudia Club d’Alger (MC Alger), founded on August 31, 1921, though it occurred several weeks before the actual anniversary date. The Algerian football club, one of the country’s most successful teams, has a passionate global fanbase known for spectacular pyrotechnic displays.
This latest incident follows a pattern of unauthorized celebrations by Algeria football supporters in London. Almost exactly a year ago, Algerian football fans held an illegal firework display on the Millennium Bridge and Blackfriars bridge in central London to celebrate the anniversary of the country’s national football team, which forced the evacuation of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre when a spent firework landed in the venue.
Emergency Response and Community Impact
Six fire engines were initially dispatched to Sunday’s incident due to the volume of emergency calls and initial reports suggesting buildings might be at risk. The response was later scaled down to three engines with approximately 15 firefighters once the situation was assessed.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson confirmed: “We were called at 21:48 yesterday (August 3) to reports of a fire near Lonsdale Road, SW13. Firefighters attended and discovered a hedge fully alight. The fire was safely extinguished by crews by around 22:30. The fire is believed to have been caused by a stray firework or flare.”
Local residents expressed alarm at how close the incident came to disaster. One witness told reporters that “the firework could have easily hit a person or burned down a row of houses.”
Bridge Security Concerns Highlighted
The incident has renewed concerns about security at Hammersmith Bridge, which has been closed to motor traffic since 2019 due to structural issues. The bridge reopened to pedestrians and cyclists in April 2025 following a £2.9 million upgrade, but questions remain about monitoring and access control.
A spokesperson for Hammersmith Bridge SOS, a campaign group seeking to restore public transport over the bridge, described the incident as “terrifying, orchestrated behaviour” and criticized the lack of effective monitoring. They argued that the incident demonstrated how “vulnerable Hammersmith bridge has become” with various authorities failing to take proper responsibility for security.
Legal Consequences and Investigation
The Metropolitan Police confirmed in a statement: “Two men, aged 22 and 18, were arrested on suspicion of arson. They both remain in police custody.” Officers are appealing for anyone with information, photos, or video footage to contact them on 101, referencing CAD 6861/03AUG.
The use of fireworks and flares in such displays is illegal under the Metropolitan Police Act 1839, carrying potential penalties including fines and imprisonment.
MC Alger, founded in 1921, holds special significance as one of Algeria’s most historic clubs and the first Algerian team to win a continental competition, claiming the 1976 African Cup of Champions Clubs. The club’s supporters are renowned for their passionate displays, which traditionally feature the red and green colors representing Islam.
