Video: Popular Burnley firefighter's Bonfire Night bedtime story proves to be another red hot hit

A popular Burnley firefighter has put his story telling skills to good use for a second time.
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And firefighter Lee Clough's Bonfire Night story has proved to be another red hot hit with families who have been forced to celebrate the traditional event in a very different way this year due to the pandemic.

As organised bonfires and firework displays are banned many people have been having displays in their gardens and back yards. To make sure they keep safe Laura McGaghey, who is the public relations and communications manager for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, wrote a story about a family celebrating bonfire night at home with a little guest... a cheeky dragon who has no idea about firework safety.

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The captivating tale is full of fire safety messages and tips for keeping safe when lighting fireworks.

Firefighter Lee Clough reads a Bonfire Night bedtime story to encourage families to keep safe if they are celebrating the event this weekend.Firefighter Lee Clough reads a Bonfire Night bedtime story to encourage families to keep safe if they are celebrating the event this weekend.
Firefighter Lee Clough reads a Bonfire Night bedtime story to encourage families to keep safe if they are celebrating the event this weekend.

Firefighter Clough read the tale of the Cheeky Dragon's Bonfire Night last night and clocked up over 100 views on YouTube.

And fire chiefs are hoping that more will tune in this weekend as it is expected families across Burnley and Pendle will be holding bonfire celebrations.

Earlier this year Lee became a YouTube hit after he read a bedtime story, No Dragons for Tea, by Jean E. Pendziwol and Martine Gourbault with some minor alterations to include a few Lancashireisms and English references, to help soothe youngsters who may be struggling to understand the lockdown situation.

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Chiefs at Lancashire Fire and Rescue came up with the idea for the storytime session as it has been sharing a lot of fire safety messages on social media accounts and, as important as the serious messages are, they thought it would be nice to do something a bit more light-hearted.

When it was discussed who they could ask to read the story only one name came to mind and that was firefighter Clough or 'Cloughy' as he is known to family and friends.

A firefighter for 24 years Lee, who is married to Michelle and two daughters, Zoe (18) and 15-year-old Amy, has worked at Burnley Fire Station for the past 22 years.

A natural performer who is a regular visitor to schools in Burnley where he makes learning about fire safety fun, he has built up a great rapport with students and staff .

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