New memorial to be installed in Peterborough to remember murdered 16-year-old Baye Bireme Fall following fire risk concerns
A new memorial to Baye Bireme Fall, who was murdered in Peterborough in April is to be installed.
Ever since his passing, a memorial has formed with friends, family members and locals placing flowers, some of BB’s favourite items as well as candles in the spot where he was killed.
Many in the area have decided to light candles at the memorial in memory of BB but in recent weeks with the incredibly dry and drought-like conditions, concerns were raised regarding safety.
Cllr Kirsty Knight, in discussions and with the approval of BB’s family confirmed that she has to make the difficult decision to remove the memorial in the interest of community safety.
Cllr Knight said: “Please understand that my problem has never been BB’s memorial. I know what that memorial means to his friends and to the people who cared about him. I would never want to take away a place where young people can remember someone they have lost but I also have a responsibility to think about what could happen if one of those candles catches the dry flowers, the leaves, the grass or the wooded area beside it.
“I have seen first-hand how frighteningly quickly a fire can spread and how quickly homes can become involved. I could never forgive myself if I knowingly left that risk there and something happened.
“So before anyone judges me for removing it, please know that I tried everything I could first. I asked. I explained. I offered an alternative. I removed the candles. I removed the lighter and still they kept being replaced and relit.
Everything from BB’s memorial has been carefully bagged and kept safe.
“It was about making sure that a place created to remember one young life does not, through one unattended flame, end up putting another life or another family’s home at risk.
“I genuinely hope people can understand that.”
Cllr Knight has paid for a new temporary memorial to be installed, which is set to be put in place on Friday (August 14), that BB’s family will be able to keep going forward.