Firefighters release TikTok dance video urging public to stay home and save lives

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Charlie Duffield15 April 2020

Firefighters have released a TikTok video urging the public to stay at home, as the UK death toll from coronavirus nears 13,000.

Four firefighters from Wallsend Red Watch, part of Tyne & Wear Fire & Rescue Service (TWFRS), feature in the choreographed clip; watch manager Peter Hamil and firefighters Paul Simpson, Alison McMullon and Lee Sargeant.

The video was filmed at Wallsend Community Fire Station, with the firefighters wearing their uniform and dancing to an excerpt from the song Blinding Lights by The Weeknd.

They then reveal the government's key message to stay home and protect the NHS in order to save lives by each closing a door in the fire tower.

Mr Hamil was inspired by the personal TikTok videos he has been making with his children.

At the time of writing, the video has been liked more than 1,000 times since it was shared on Twitter.

Speaking to the Standard, Tyne & Wear Fire & Rescue Service said: "We’ve seen a rise in people having bonfires in their back gardens, which we are being called out to attend when they spread, or when items other than garden waste are being burned.

"And we’re still seeing deliberate fires – rubbish, anti-social behaviour fires often started by young people. We find this very concerning, as it would indicate that not everyone is abiding by social distancing and staying at home.

"We know that TikTok videos appeal to many people, but in particular to the younger members of our community who we may not always reach through our more formal methods of communication.

"Firefighters have a role in both prevention and education, as well as responding to fires and other incidents."

In response to TWFRS' Twitter post, one person commented: "Outstanding guys - thank you for keeping us all safe too."

Another added: "Amazing effort guys! Thank you for your hard work through these testing times."

Tyne & Wear Fire & Rescue Service told the Standard: "Obviously we currently aren’t able to deliver our normal safety talks to school children and students, so if this video helps to remind them of the importance in following the UK Government’s advice to Stay Home. Protect our NHS. Save Lives, and in doing so helps to reduce deliberate fires, we’ll be very happy indeed."

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