Floating lanterns: Fire hazard

Straits Times Forum 17 Feb 10;

'Setting off fireworks is illegal here. Shouldn't these floating lanterns also be declared illegal?'

MS ANGELINE NG: 'On Chinese New Year's Eve, at around 9.30pm, I noticed a group of people setting off half a dozen sky lanterns at the end of Lentor Loop in Lentor housing estate.

One of the floating lanterns, kept afloat by a naked flame heating the air in the lantern, landed on a tree about 80m from my house. The others continued flying till they were out of sight.

I can only hope they landed somewhere safe. If these lanterns land on a house, lives and property could be lost. Even if that does not happen, in dry weather, it could cause a fire by igniting bushes and trees nearby. Setting off fireworks is illegal here. Shouldn't these floating lanterns also be declared illegal?'

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