A young mum says she is scared for her toddler's life as a huge bonfire is being built outside her home. Gold Onwuka has been watching in fear as people continue to add to the enormous pile of wood and furniture in preparation for Bonfire night.
And with over two weeks still to go before November 5, it is likely that the mountain of rubbish near Rickman Street in the Kirkdale area of Liverpool will only get bigger. The 24-year-old parent, who lives in a rental property with her 2-year-old son Royal, says her worries are founded in experience.
During last year's event, a large bonfire was lit on the same site led caused damage to her house - including melted pipes and a broken window, the Liverpool Echo reports. She said: "It was scary, I had to get my son out of his bedroom because it was closest to the big fire.
"He was only one year old at the time. The fire damaged a window in the house and burnt the frame."
Gold, who is currently doing a post-graduate course in teaching, said the sight of the bonfire being built this year has made her feel scared again. She added: "I should feel safe for me and my son in my home. I'm very worried. It is already big and will only get bigger."
Gold and her landlord Glenn McDowall are now hoping Liverpool Council will take action to remove the bonfire that's being built on the green space outside the property. After last year's fire and the damage it caused, Mr McDowall complained to the city council and warned someone could be hurt if a fire of this size was allowed to be lit again.
Mr McDowall, who has complained again to the council, added: "After what happened, Gold is genuinely fearful of Bonfire Night this year. The fire last year was so fierce that it caused quite a bit of damage to the house with melted pipes and scorched window frames.
"I obviously don't want any more damage to the house but the most important thing is the safety of the tenant. She is right to be worried."
He added: "Why are people just allowed to build big bonfires on land like this and no one stops them? Where is their permit? Does someone have to die before something is done about this."
"I think the council should head over there with a big lorry and take it all away."
A council spokesperson said: “We completely appreciate and understand the concerns of the resident. Unsupervised bonfires pose a real danger and we would strongly advise people against building them. Every year we work with our partners to take action where we have been made aware of a bonfire that could pose a risk.”
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