Hammersmith & Fulham (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Shocking footage shows Hammersmith Bridge lit by flares and fireworks. Hedge at nearby St Paul’s School caught fire. Two men arrested on suspicion of arson.
Will, a 22-year-old new graduate who lives in the area, filmed the event from his house nearby.
He said:
“We heard this loud banging outside – looked out the window and the whole bridge was shrouded in red. Many were landing in the school playing fields, harmlessly at first. Then we saw a small, and then quickly a massive fire.”
He added:
“The fire trucks arrived really quickly and there were police too, who had to use fire extinguishers on a part of the bridge that was smoking. There was a police helicopter as well.”
Will continued:
“My brother’s lived here for three years. He says it’s not the first time fireworks have been set off from the bridge, but it’s the first time it’s caused a fire.”
He shared that Hammersmith & Fulham residents are increasingly concerned about the use of flares. He said that people are worried with flares going everywhere – if they landed at a slightly different angle, it could have set off a whole block of flats, especially with the wind blowing.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police stated that at 21:47hrs on Sunday, 3 August officers and the London Fire Brigade responded to reports of a large disturbance near Hammersmith Bridge, SW13. It was established there had been instances of fireworks and flares being set off.
They continued that a bush fire at St Paul’s School, Barnes, caused by the fireworks, was put out by the London Fire Brigade. There were no reported injuries.
The spokesperson added:
“Two men, aged 22 and 18, were arrested on suspicion of arson. They both remain in police custody. Anyone with information, photos and video footage that might help police with this investigation can call 101 referencing CAD 6861/03AUG.”
What security measures are being planned or increased by authorities to prevent future incidents on the bridge?
Following its full closure in 2020 due to structural concerns, the bridge underwent extensive restoration, including replacing worn wooden deck boards, resurfacing carriageways and walkways, and strengthening cast-iron pedestals with fiber-reinforced concrete. Anti-terror safety measures have also been added to the bridge as part of these upgrades.
The bridge reopened in April 2025 with three distinct lanes—two for cyclists (northbound and southbound) and one two-way pedestrian lane—to regulate traffic flow and enhance safety for users.
Since 2015, sensors and weekly checks have been installed around the bridge to monitor its structural health constantly. This includes real-time monitoring for potential damage or misuse.