MANKIND has been enthralled by fire since time immemorial. And ever since the Chinese discovered that igniting a mixture of saltpeter, sulphur, and charcoal makes a big flash-bang, we've been playing with it.

Grand displays of pyrotechnics are all too common these days but we never seem to tire of them. However, much as we enjoy these highly professional shows, they can't beat the pleasure in watching children's glee at your own attempts at pyrotechnic wizardry in the back garden come November 5.

Of course, every year we are warned of the dangers of fireworks and every year people are treated for firework-related injuries. For a list of links to websites dealing with all aspects of firework safety and planning and organisation of displays, both private and public, go to www.fire.org.uk/firework.

For a bit of pre-bonfire night fun and an insight into the operations of one of Britain's leading fireworks companies, check out www.5nov.com, the online home of Fantastic Fireworks Ltd.

This is, if you'll excuse the pun, a cracker of a site, and if any site justifies - indeed, demands - the use of the latest Flash technology, this is it.

The home page opens to a cacophony of fizzes and bangs, then a lit fuse appears. It burns down and an explosion ''clears'' your screen before a banner appears announcing: ''It's showtime.'' And indeed it is.

Each page-link is represented by a firework. Move your cursor over it and it fizzes; click on it and it explodes and the desired page cascades on to your screen.

Content is matter-of-fact and responsible. However, although it stresses safety - it has a training and guidance section - and the importance of weather-watching - it has a link to the Met Office - this is a commercial site first and foremost and offers online sales of its services and firework packs.